"We are excited to have Adrianna join us in helping to prevent children from falling victim to Internet bullying and other online threats," said i-SAFE president and CEO Teri Schroeder. "Her dedication to the cause has already made a big difference in her community. Through our program, we look forward to having her make an even greater impact among children, parents, and the community nationwide."
Adrianna will spend the next year speaking at schools and community events, and will be an advocate for bringing Internet safety education to the classroom. She will appear in i-SAFE Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to further the mission she shares with i-SAFE of raising awareness among children, parents, educators, and communities about online dangers like cyber bullying.
"i-SAFE serves as a tremendous resource for families to learn about ways to keep safe from Internet dangers," Adrianna said. "I'm thrilled about joining a cause that makes a difference in people's lives through education and awareness. With today's technologies, it's more important than ever that parents and children are informed about Internet safety."
According to a 2005-2006 National Assessment Center (NAC) survey, 25 percent of high-school students know someone who has been bullied, and 13 percent report having been cyber-stalked. As a bully victim herself in elementary and middle school who nearly lost her life, Adrianna 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/devices, she is even more dedicated to helping children receive the tools they need to be protected on the Internet.
Adrianna has worked tirelessly for the last several years, championing the cause of youth safety, violence prevention, and bully victim protection. She partnered as Virginia's Director of Bully Police USA, a nationwide organization started by the mother of a student whose severe bullying by other students led to his suicide. The organization spearheads similar legislation throughout the country. Adrianna was also instrumental in passing two anti-bullying bills in Virginia.
While attending Robinson High School, Adrianna was involved in her school's DECA chapter, where she lobbied for the Ricky Ray Hemophiliac Act. During her college years, as Virginia's Director of Bully Police USA, she became a DECA adult advisor and led bullying and bullycides as the chapter project. With the support of 220 students, they lobbied for the appropriation of The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act for suicide prevention.
Adrianna is from Fairfax Station and is a 23-year-old graduate student in music and vocal performance at George Mason University. She will compete for the title of Miss America in January 2007.
