More than 200 students from St. Ann's School in Norwood rallied Monday as part of the Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention; October is also National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.

Students, supported by their teachers and parents, held up anti-bullying posters and donned blue shirts in solidarity, while others simply stressed that bullying just isn't cool.

"We're trying to show everyone that we don't allow bullying in our school," said student Gabriella Chinga, who said she had been a victim of bullying for months. Gabriella said some of her fellow students called her "fat," "ugly" and "worthless."

She finally told teachers and her family. "I learned from my experience. It made me wiser," said Gabriella. "The friends I choose--how to speak out and not be afraid."

Experts advise bullied children not to wait too long to tell someone and to never bully back because the vicious cycle could just continue.