Tom Murphy from Sweethearts & Heroes presented an anti-bullying message to Goff Middle School students on Monday, September 14.
Students at Howard L. Goff Middle School learned about hope, kindness, and courage during grade-level assemblies presented by Sweethearts & Heroes last week. The engaging presentations were led by former professional mixed martial artist Tom Murphy and Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient who told his compelling personal story.
During the assembly, Mr. Murphy teaches students how to be active bystanders and invites students to participate in demonstrations on how they can actually intervene when they encounter an incident of bullying.
“We don’t just want students to sit and listen to a presentation about what bullying or hopelessness looks like—we want them to realize they already have the ‘superpowers’ to change the culture around them,” said Mr. Murphy. “We all have H.O.P.E. (Hold On, Possibilities Exist) inside us that we can give to other people. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to help those who are isolated or seen as ‘different,’ but ‘Jumping into Action’ is what heroes do, and we believe EVERYONE has the power to become someone’s hero.”
The message presented by Sweethearts & Heroes aligns with the district’s Portrait of a Graduate skill of “Empathetic Citizen” and the character education lessons students learn through elementary school.
“Sweethearts & Heroes reinforces what we value most at Goff Middle School—that relationships come first,” said Interim Principal Jim McHugh. “Their message reminds our students that every person matters, every student belongs, and that even the smallest acts of kindness, empathy, and courage can make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life. We want our students to understand that they don’t have to wait to be a leader or an adult to make an impact—they have the power to be someone’s Sweetheart or Hero every day.”
Following the assemblies, Mr. Yarosh participated in a Q&A with Health class students.
Sweethearts & Heroes has visited East Greenbush students and educators in 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2024.
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