SHEREBURNE – An audience of approximately 400 parents and students welcomed motivational speaker and original musician Jared Campbell to the Sherburne–Earlville High School auditorium stage on Thursday, January 30 who not only shared his music, but also his thoughts on bullying.
Armed with his honed singing voice and a knack for storytelling, the twenty-something singer-songwriter with bed head and thick rimmed glasses presented “The Blue Project,” an interactive live concert tailored for K-12 students that reinforces practical life lessons.
In addition to Campbell’s authentic and down-to-earth approach, his brand of witty humor and antic-like crowd participation kept the large room engaged for more than a hour Thursday night.
Campbell presented his age-appropriate message through a series of short, meaningful stories accompanied with a number of songs that were carefully crafted and drawn from personal experiences with bullying and the trials of growing up.
With the aid of his laptop computer, his message of humility was reinforced by broadcasting short videos and images to accompany his works.
The ever-engaging performer who has forged a living instilling positive motivation into the lives of countless students, had parents and children alike mimicking the varying degrees of a rainstorm by rubbing hands, clapping and snapping along to ‘Life Is Good,’ ‘White Line,’ as well as his funny, yet meaningful song entitled ‘Learn to Love Like a Dog,’ which proves that there is a lot you can learn about being a good friend from dogs.
Campbell's songs spoke to the importance of sustaining positive relationships, staying on track to achieve goals, and remaining optimistic in the face of adversity. ‘January Snow,’ – inspired by a student who missed Campbell’s performance at her school due to hospitalization for depression – led to a frank discussion of bullying.
“Words have the power to just tear somebody apart. Words also have a very positive power. Words can totally build somebody up,” said Campbell. “It took me years to realize the impact that bullying plays on peoples' lives; it's something that we all need to address when we see it happening... don't be a by-stander”
Campbell went on saying that, “The biggest problem with bullying isn't the bully or the victims – it's everyone around them that sees it happen, and doesn't do a thing about it... students need to understand that they should do something if they see it happening because turning a blind eye accomplishes nothing.”
As he maneuvered his way through the evenings topics, Campbell offered some insight as to why people feel the need to act as a bully.
“These people mistreat others because they are lacking something inside of themselves,” he said. “They will never know how awesome they are as a person as long as they put other people down, but the moment these bullies start to turn things around and begin to build others up; only then will they realize how valuable they truly are.”
While the initial purpose of “The Blue Project” was to encourage that fight for one’s dreams, the idea of incorporating the anti-bullying component was simple for Campbell. “We all have these amazing futures in our hands. Just like outside, we get those clouds that cover up that vision,” he said. “No matter what you may be facing today, I want you to think of those hardships as clouds passing by. Find your individual blue, the potential that you have to be somebody great some day.”
As the assembly wrapped-up, Campbell welcomed students to contact him via Facebook to share their thoughts and made himself available for photos and autographs.
For more information on The Blue Project, visit jcblueproject.com of like Jared on Facebook: facebook.com/jaredcampbellmusic.