Since Ryan’s death, the family has moved. His son, Connor, who was 5 years old at the time, has coped the best. Ryan’s older sister, Megan, who was the first to find her brother dead, has struggled emotionally. Halligan told the students that when one bullies a child, they really bully an entire family.

Halligan also criticized the “bystanders,” the friends of bullies who don’t intervene and put a stop to the taunting. “Bullies love a response,” he said. “The love a response from their target but more importantly they love a response from their audience.”

Jill Vogel, the Central High School District’s director of guidance, said Halligan’s presentation was an initiative of the Bully Reduction Anti-Violence Education Program, which was started in Valley Stream four years ago. She said the district wanted seventh- and eighth-graders to hear the message because that is an age where bullying is most prevalent.

“This is a message on the dangers of bullying and the heartbreak of teenage suicide,” Vogel said. “We’re hoping that students understand how detrimental these behaviors are.”

North High School Seventh-grader Bryan Carroll said he was very moved by the presentation. “I think it was touching to everybody in the room,” he said. “It got through to me and I think the people around me.”

Bryan said the messages that resonated with him the most is how serious the issue of bullying is, and that people should apologize to those they have mistreated.

Chelsea Alexander-Taylor, an eighth-grader at North, said Halligan’s presentation was relatable because students often say things to each other without realizing the impact that statement could have. She said agreed with his point that it is important for “bystanders” to put a stop to bullying.

Halligan was supposed to speak with parents and Memorial Junior High School students last week but those presentations were canceled due to snow. He will return on May 13-14.