Olympic speed skater Alyson Dudek delivers anti-bullying message

COLGATE (WITI) -- The continuing crusade against bullying has OIympic speed skater Alyson Dudek delivering a message with her medal.

"I still see different forms of bullying happening day-to-day," Dudek said.

On Thursday, March 28th, United States short-track speed skater Dudek was inside Colgate's Amy Belle Elementary School, presenting her platform against bullying.

"It's hit closer to home for me in the past year or two and I just wanted to share with kids  the importance of just being nice. So simple. Just be nice," Dudek said.

Dudek is a 22-year-old Hales Corners native who won a bronze medal in the 3,000 meter relay during the 2010 Olympic games. She says she and her teammates have decided to take a stand against what is a growing, cultural concern.

"It doesn't only happen at an elementary age, but it happens all the way up with elite athletes too," Dudek said.

The idea resonates with students like Jack Ramstack who says he hopes what the speed skater says will encourage his fellow students to speak out against bullying.

"It's when a person is like, just like, being mean to some person. If someone does it, then maybe someone could stand up and like, help them," Ramstack said.

Having seen how bullying has hurt her older sister, Rebecca Lindgren has her own message for the mean.

"Once I went up to someone and told them 'Why are you being mean to them? Can you stop?' I kinda felt bad because sometimes (my sister) would like, come home crying," Lindgren said.

After her presentation Dudek passed out cards to students, encouraging them to make a pinky promise not to bully, by painting one nail blue.