Middle school-aged students are notorious for using bullying as they try to establish themselves in their society.

But the targets of their put-downs are often left with life-long emotional scars.

That's why former professional wrestler turned anti-bullying motivational speaker Chris Holyfield was brought to Galion Middle School Friday morning.

His message to bullies is, picking on and putting down others does not make you cool.  And to victims and witnesses, he says to speak up and help adults put a stop to it. 

This is a message that needed to be delivered and heard, because bullying happens in Galion Middle School and Principal Andy Johnson wants it stopped.  

The 460 students attending the assembly cheered Holyfield when he shot a basket after numerous misses, then swarmed him for hugs and autographs as they made their way back to class.