Old Forge student, Schillaci family get together to produce T-shirts By DON MCGLYNN
dmcglynn@golackwanna.com
W
ith the start of school just few weeks away, many children are busy setting personal goals for the year ahead. Old Forge Elementary School’s Nathan Cieslak has made it his goal to try and make the school experience better for everyone. Proving you’re never too young to make a difference, the 10-year-old, fifth grade student is selling T-shirts featuring a logo of his own design, and the slogan “Only You Can Prevent Bullying.” Nathan is hoping the shirts, priced at $12, will create a greater awareness of the problem of bullying. “I just want to get the word out that bullying is wrong, and it’s not cool to do, it’s not fun for anyone, (and) it’s not a good experience,” said Nathan. Nathan brought the idea of creating a shirt to his mother, April Cieslak, a few weeks ago, who explained to him that he would need a logo and slogan to put on the shirt. She said a few hours later her son had everything he needed. “It didn’t take long because I was thinking about it the whole day, so I already had the design planned out in my head,” Nathan said. With the design of the shirt ready, Cieslak started looking
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for someone to print them. She said she talked to a few people but ultimately decided to go with GC Sweats. Cieslak said she felt a connection with Joseph F. Schillaci, president of GC Sweats, who was also passionate about the cause. “Immediately we gave them a discount, because of the nature of it. I thought it was so admirable of Nathan that I couldn’t get involved fast enough. There’s nobody that wasn’t bullied at one time in their life, including me,” said Schillaci. After coming on board, Schillaci helped make some tweaks to the design, and shared the news of Nathan’s project with his son Rocco A. Schillaci II, Esquire, who, also being able to sympathize with what some children are forced to go through, sponsored the T-shirts through his law firm, Schillaci Law, LLC, paying for a portion of the production cost. “I thought it was a great idea and a great cause for such a young kid to want to get involved in,” said Schillaci II. “I think it’s really in the forefront right now. With social media, bullying is not what it used to be. It’s not stealing your lunch money and pushing you on the playground, it’s really a psychological game.” Bullying has changed for chilSee BULLYING, Page 31
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Anti-bullying project a local team effort
Nathan Cieslak models the T-shirt he designed, GC Sweats produced, and Atty. Rocco A. Schillaci III sponsored. BRADLEY LANPHEAR/FOR GO LACKAWANNA
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