Miss Virginia Campaigns for Internet Safety, End to Cyber Bullying

Together with i-SAFE Inc., Miss Virginia Adrianna Sgarlata is crisscrossing the state traveling over 5,000 miles per month, reaching thousands of students in Virginia to personally spread the message about the importance of being educated about safe Internet use and how to prevent cyber bullying. Sgarlata's mission to youth on Internet safety and cyber bullying is part of her platform for the Miss America pageant in January 2007. As an advocate for Internet safety education, Sgarlata joins i-SAFE to educate members on Capitol Hill, appear at schools, universities, community events and student leadership conferences from Jonesville to Bristol, Norfolk to Fairfax, throughout the United States and Canada.

"Our school had a wonderful visit from Miss Virginia Adrianna Sgarlata," said Brenda vonSeldeneck, computer lab teacher at Ladd Elementary School. "She visited the fourth and fifth grade classes and talked with them about responsible use of the Internet and steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of cyber bullying. The students, teacher and staff appreciated the time she spent talking about these important issues that we face with today's technologies."

Sgarlata has also appeared in i-SAFE Public Service Announcements (PSAs) which air on Virginia's local television stations to further the mission she shares with i-SAFE of raising awareness among children, parents, educators, and communities about online dangers like cyber bullying. "As a victim of bullying, she is able to connect with today's youth," said Teri Schroeder, president and CEO of i-SAFE. "She has already been instrumental in helping students throughout the country make better decisions on the Internet."

According to a 2005-2006 National Assessment Center (NAC) report, 25 percent of high-school students know someone who has been bullied, and 11 percent report having been cyber-stalked. In addition, 32 percent of students admit to sometimes saying something mean or hurtful online. Sgarlata has experienced firsthand the pain and humiliation that accompanies this kind of childhood harassment, and now that bullies can extend this harassment to their victim's home or mobile phone/device, she is even more dedicated to helping children receive the tools they need to be protected on the Internet.

"My goal is to continue to reach as many youth as possible about Internet safety and to focus on cyber bullying prevention," said Sgarlata. "By working with i-SAFE, I can reach youth across the country about this message and empower them to share this knowledge with others."