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Health & Fitness

"Finding Kind" anti-bullying event on February 4th

On Tuesday, February 4th, the City of Temecula will discover how to find “Kind” via a heart-wrenching and dynamic documentary exposing the emotional toll of “mean girl” bullying.

“Finding Kind”, by filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, will screen in a free showing at 6:30pm on February 4th at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.  Co-sponsored by Hillcrest Academy and the City of Temecula, the film showing is sure to spark meaningful dialogue between mothers and daughters about how girl-on-girl bullying has impacted their lives.

In “Finding Kind”, Parsekian and Stroud reveal how they were victims of “mean girls”. Their suffering led them on a cross-country road trip with their moms to document on film the cruelty of girl bullying. In their 10,000 mile journey, the women talked to over 30,000 girls, visited more than 60 cities, and set-up “Truth Booths” capturing tearful and poignant memories and confessions from girls across the nation. Along the way they discover some universal truths about growing up as girls, and are motivated to find common ground of kindness and mutual respect. 

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The film made its way to a showing in Temecula through Hillcrest Academy’s Head of School Chris Lincoln.  Lincoln had seen the documentary and found it so powerful that he encouraged the school’s PTSL group to sponsor a screening. They contacted the City of Temecula who agreed to become a co-sponsor, providing the Old Town Community Theater venue to accommodate a large audience.  

Lincoln also had a connection to filmmaker Lauren Parsekian, who grew up in his hometown. Now married to “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul, Parsekian believes so strongly in the message that she has focused her career pursuits on supporting anti-bullying campaigns. “It seems that society has concluded that girls are catty and mean to each other and that it’s never going to change,” says Parsekian.  “People fail to realize that these experiences are detrimental to a female’s growth, self-esteem, and ability to form healthy and functional relationships. The cruelty that exists among girls is a serious issue that needs immediate attention.”

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Nearly 1 in 3 students admits to being bullied, is afraid to talk about it, and lists it as a concern regarding personal safety. Parsekian can identify with that statistic.  In middle school she was one of the “popular” girls, but when her clique turned against her, school became a source of stress, depression and frequent thoughts of suicide. “I can still vividly recall every terrible memory from that time in my life,” she says.  She hopes that screenings of “Finding Kind” like the one next week in Temecula will create an awareness that will help change this problem.  In a phone call Monday with Hillcrest Academy representatives, she said, “Thank you so much for bringing the program to your school and community.  We’ve seen it be such an incredibly positive and life-changing experience for those who have seen it.”

“Finding Kind” has been covered by Dr. Phil, CBS News, and Variety. It recently was named Best Documentary at the Palm Beach Women’s International Film Festival and was a finalist for the Social Justice Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. For more information about the film, visit www.findingkind.com.

Those wanting to attend the free film showing of “Finding Kind” on February 4th need to register in advance at the City of Temecula’s activities website.  Visit TCSD.cityoftemecula.org and register with activity #: 2375.101. 

Hillcrest Academy is a non-profit, private independent school located in Temecula at 29275 Santiago Road. Focusing on academics, character, and leadership, Hillcrest features foreign language, fine arts, physical education, and a middle school leadership program as part of its curriculum.  Spaces are now available for enrollment in the 2014-2015 school year.  For more information, contact the Hillcrest Academy office at (951) 676-4754 or visit their website at www.hillcrestacademy.org .

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