Deyar Asmaro, the 2008 winner of Simon Fraser University’s Terry Fox Gold Medal, speaks from experience about school bullying and its impact.

The medal is awarded annually to a student who demonstrates courage in the face of adversity — in Asmaro’s case his courageous ability to overcome the effects of bullying.

Now a third-year psychology honour student, Asmaro was an academically successful 15-year-old at a private school who excelled in martial arts when he used to rush to the defence of peers being bullied. However, such action led to bullies targeting him.

"It was difficult for me to get help because the bullies were the most popular kids — those who excelled in sports and school clubs. I think the fact that I was half Iraqi also made me a target."

The relentless bullying led Asmaro to drop out of school after Grade 10 and his life spiralled downwards. He spent two years living on the street, and attempted suicide three times.

But at 17, Asmaro turned his life around.

"I woke up one morning thinking, ‘if I continue on like this I am going to die quickly.’ I realized I wasn’t living up to my potential and that what had led me to this point was beyond my control — but that if I got away from my environment I could perhaps turn my life around."

Asmaro enrolled in a military academy in Ontario. Rigorous training and encouragement helped him earn three promotions and finish Grade 11 within a year. He returned to Vancouver, finished Grade 12 and went to Capilano College, where he made the dean’s honour list twice.

A passionate desire to understand why bullying led him down the path he travelled ignited Asmaro’s interest in psychology, which he is pursuing at SFU. A year away from graduating, Asmaro has a 4.11 grade point average (the maximum is 4.33). He is considering graduate school and has another major goal: To raise awareness about the seriousness of bullying.

"Bullies often don’t fit the popular stereotype of them being gang members or dropouts," says Asmaro. "Their mainstream popularity can invoke a code of silence in any school. Often bullies are just seeking recognition."