November 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Halligan to discuss bullying and youth depression On Oct. 7, 2003, 13-year-old Ryan Halligan died by suicide after being bullied by classmates at school and online. This week, Ryan’s father, John, will bring his story to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District. Halligan’s appearance is being sponsored by the municipal alliances of Wyckoff, Oakland, and Franklin Lakes. Daytime assemblies are planned for students in both Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools, and an evening presentation for adults will be held the evening of Nov. 17. The evening session will take place at Indian Hills High School, located at 131 Yawpo Avenue in Oakland. The adult audience at this Nov. 17 presentation will hear about the lessons Halligan’s family learned too late regarding how to deal with bullying, cyberbullying, and teen depression. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium and includes strategies and preventive actions for parents and guardians. Halligan’s presentation will begin with a short video collection of home movie clips and still pictures of Ryan. Halligan will then tell the story of Ryan and the factors that led to his son’s suicide. Those who attend will gain a perspective from inside a family of a child who is a victim of bullying and cyber bullying. They will also gain awareness about the signs and risk of teenage suicide and how best to help a friend. His story is a reminder that there is a face, a person, and a heart, on the other end of the computer screen. Students who attend Halligan’s daytime presentations at the schools will have the chance to ask him questions. Additional information is available at the website named for Halligan’s son: www. ryanpatrickhalligan.org. Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, school officials sent out a letter to inform parents and guardians about it in advance. Adults are encouraged to talk about the presentation together. The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District has implemented a comprehensive bullying prevention program in order to take serious, proactive steps to curb a problem that is found in schools everywhere. This year, the district has focused on raising awareness about bullying and cyberbullying with students and parents. For additional information, contact Kathy Scarpelli at (201) 891-1820 or visit www.themunicipalalliance.com. Ludwig offers holiday decorating tips On Nov. 16, Suzy Ludwig of Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery will show the Wyckoff Area Garden Club how to make bows and swags. She will also discuss decorating ideas for the holidays. The program will be held at 7 p.m. at the Lakehouse at the Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Avenue. Ribbon will be provided for bows. During the fall and winter, Ludwig leads Rohsler’s team in designing holiday decorations. In the warm months, she works with the perennials. She is also an expert designer and creator of terrariums and container gardens. For more information about the garden club and its activities, visit www.wyckoffgc.org.