On February 11, 2013, British Columbia’s very first Family Day, Paige’s parents received a phone call informing them of slanderous graffiti written about their daughter on her high school walls. Her friends left a bold message in bright orange spray paint: “Paige Glazier is a c—”.
Incredibly, Paige’s response was not what most people expected. “I want to turn the negative experience that I have been through into something positive,” said Paige.
Paige knew that something had to change. She was grateful for the many local initiatives that had taken a stand against bullying, but she knew that solving the bullying problem would take more than just wearing a pink shirt once a year.
After graduating, Paige decided to take a step back and start working with elementary schools to encourage pro-social behaviour in children, well before before they are teenagers. Inspired by the orange paint used to defame her character, Paige founded Team Orange, a pro-social behaviour campaign that teaches elementary-aged children the values of inclusion, loyalty and respect.
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Local districts have already started to take notice and support the new movement by adopting it as their own. She has received phone calls from parents and school administrators all over the country, asking if she would come to their school and share her story.
Paige has spoken at International Women’s Day, been part of We Day Vancouver and completed the White Rock Youth Ambassador Program, designed to foster future community leaders through networking and mentorship. She has also participated in the B.C. Ambassador Program to promote Team Orange provincially.
Through her work with Team Orange, Paige was also recently nominated in the Social Action category of the Me to We Awards. The Canadian Living Me to We Awards honours extraordinary Canadians who are building a better world. The awards are divided into six unique categories:
- Youth in Action (13-17)
- Youth in Action (12 and under)
- In the Community
- Social Action
- Educator
- Free The Children Youth
The public is welcome to vote and support Paige at Me to We’s website. While you’re at it, check out all the other inspiring youth who are making a positive difference in our country. Voting will remain open until May 8, 2015. The winners will be announced publicly at Toronto We Day and in the October issue of Canadian Living Magazine.
For more information on Team Orange, visit www.teamorange.ca or call 604-837-6180.
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