A Tampa teen who said she was bullied for having cystic fibrosis made an anti-bullying video that was selected as a top entry for the NO BULL Challenge Teen Video Awards held at YouTube in Los Angeles.
"When I was in sixth grade, I was bullied, and throughout elementary school, I was bullied," Kira Taylor, 15, said. "It's a very hard thing to deal with. So I thought it would be nice to actually create an anti-bullying video to show people why it needs to be stopped."
Taylor's video features her singing the song Bad Day with anti-bullying messages flashing on the screen. The teen said the Bad Day artist, Daniel Powter, sent her a message on Instagram.
"He said, 'nice cover of Bad Day with a beautiful message. Keep fighting the good fight,' " Taylor said. "That was really nice of him to actually do that, and I couldn't believe that."
The NO BULL winners will be announced at the Teen Video Awards Show on Aug. 8. Organizers describe it as "an Oscars meet the Grammys event where nominated filmmakers who took a public stand against bullying and braved The Challenge get to walk the Red Carpet and enjoy an evening of celebrity status."
Taylor's entry was one of 16 selected in the nationwide contest, and the teen says the organization is covering all of her travel expenses.
"I was super excited," she said. "I still am."
Taylor's mom said her daughter was bullied so much for having cystic fibrosis that she had to pull Kira out of a Tampa middle school in 2012.
"If people don't understand, they just make fun," Lisa Taylor said. "That's why we're really trying to advocate for what cystic fibrosis is. If she's coughing ... you don't make fun of her."
Kira takes classes on-line at the Florida Virtual School. The teen hopes her anti-bullying message catches on.
"No matter if you have a disease or illness or disability or just have a bad day, you shouldn't let that stop you from achieving your dream," she said.