HUDSON – Presentation of Mary Academy hosted John Halligan on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

John and Kelly Halligan lost their 13-year-old son, Ryan, to suicide on Oct. 7, 2003. At the time of his death, Ryan was a middle school student in Vermont. It was revealed in much greater detail after Ryan’s death that he was ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and online.

All PMA students in grades 5-8 listened quietly as Halligan shared his son’s heartbreaking story. He emphasized the importance of treating others kindly at school and online. Halligan shared with the students how his son was treated and the impact that bullying and cyberbullying can have on a person’s life. The presentation ended with a question-and-answer session.

The event was sponsored by the PMA Parent Group.

For more information about bullying, cyberbullying and adolescent depression, visit ryanpatrick
halligan.org.