From bullied to beauty
The harassment she endured took its toll on her self-confidence, causing her academics and extramural activities to suffer.
When looking at 19-year-old Michelle von Rauenstein from Mountain View, west of Pretoria, one is first taken aback by her looks and knack in front of a camera.
But beneath the beautiful exterior lies a past of insecurities caused by vindictive bullying in her early school career.
“I was constantly bullied in primary school,” said Rauenstein, currently in matric at Hoërskool Pretoria-Noord.
“They labelled me ‘the ugliest girl in the school’.”
The harassment she endured took its toll on her self-confidence, causing her academics and extramural activities to suffer.
“I was too shy to play netball, for instance,” she continues.
“Fortunately, I began playing hockey and making new friends.”
This allowed her to take a stance and vowed to herself that no one would walk over her again. She began modelling and her self-esteem blossomed and she was recently crowned first princess in the Miss Golden 2019 pageant.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished so far, and I want to let victims of bullying know there is hope.”
READ MORE: Latina beauty to visit Eersterust
Bullying in schools may not be a new issue, but it is one that has increased significantly in recent years. Childline offers the following tips on what to do if you are bullied:
• You have to tell someone. You may not want to do this because it shows that you are vulnerable, that you are letting someone get the better of you. But really, it is very important to tell someone otherwise, it may not stop. Speak to a friend, parent, brother or sister, uncle or aunt and most importantly, if it happens at school, speak to your teacher.
• Try to stay in safe areas of the school at break and lunchtime where there are plenty of other people. Bullies don’t like anyone seeing what they are doing. If you are hurt at school, tell a teacher immediately and ask for it to be written down. Make sure you tell your parents.
• On the school bus, try to sit near the driver, or if it’s an ordinary bus, by other adults. If you have to walk part of the way, and you’re afraid of the bully finding you, then change your route, try to leave home and school a bit later or a bit earlier, or see if you can walk with other people who live near you, even if they’re older or younger.
• If you have a cell phone, be careful who you give your number to. If you receive threatening phone calls or emails then tell your parents. It is against the law for anyone to send offensive or threatening phone messages and if it continues, it can also amount to harassment. The police can, and do, take action.
READ MORE: Moot beauty (18) to represent SA in an international pageant
• If you see anyone else being bullied at your school, please tell someone about it. But don’t get into trouble with the bullies, do it without anyone noticing. Tell a teacher when you get a chance and there isn’t anyone else around. People who are being bullied need friends so if you can help someone who is so unhappy do so.
Childline South Africa is a non-profit organisation which works to protect children from violence and further the culture of children’s rights in South Africa. Childline runs a national, 24-hour, toll-free telephone counselling service for children and adults, handling over 1 million calls annually. Visit their website or to speak to a counsellor, regarding a case or for counselling, please call their national crisis line – 08 000 55 555.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
