Gianna Rizzo’s story of being bullied shows that standing up for yourself and seeking help can stop someone from continually being mean and trying to take away your power.

The 15-year-old Gurnee resident said she was bullied from kindergarten through eighth grade at Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake. Through the help of her parents, a principal and her own courage, the bullying stopped.

It started in kindergarten when the girl would  talk about her and laugh at her with other girls and told everyone not to like her, said Gianna’s mom, Maureen Rizzo.