BARTOW -- Actor Dash Mihok may be used to bright lights and movie sets, but he said he was also used to being picked on and bullied.
Mihok came to Polk County to team up with Jaylen Arnold, 9, as part of the boy’s anti-bullying campaign.
Jaylen came to the public’s attention in June, when News 13’s Bright House Networks affiliate, Bay News 9, reported on him in a story later picked up by CNN.
The story caught the eye of Mihok, who like Jaylen, has Tourette’s syndrome.
“I was instantly touched and blown away, and excited and proud,” said the actor, who has appeared in movies like “Romeo + Juliet,” “I Am Legend” and “The Day After Tomorrow.”
“He reminded me [of myself] of a kid, and he had 500 times more bravery,” Mihok said. “I wish that I had the fortitude to do that when I was a kid.”
Jaylen’s goal to speak to schoolchildren about bullying has become a reality. In the last week, he spoke to more than 400 students at Bartow Elementary Academy, with Mihok right by his side.
“I didn’t have to come here, but I had to come here, because Jaylen’s an inspiration to a lot of people,” Mihok said.
The pair spoke candidly about what it feels like to be a target for bullying.
“People used to tell me, ‘You’re going to grow up to be real weird and strange,’” Mihok told the students.
The pair encouraged the students not to join in when they see bullying, and to step in to try to prevent it. Each student took home an anti-bullying book and bracelet.
The lesson made an impression on fifth-grader Jaylen Miller.
“I think that he was very brave to just come out here, even though he’s been bullied before,” Jaylen Miller said.
Jaylen Arnold said he has heard many times since he started his campaign.
“They’re saying, ‘Hey Jaylen, you’re doing a really good job. You inspired my life, you gave me courage,’” he said.
Information from News 13’s Bright House Networks affiliate, Bay News 9, was used in this report.
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