“Star Trek” actress brings anti-bullying message to local middle schoolers

A former Star Trek actress brought an important message of her own to our area Friday.

Chase Masterson, who portrayed Leeta on Star Trek Deep Space Nine, gave an anti-bullying presentation at Chenango Valley Middle School.

She is founder of the organization Pop Culture Hero Coalition which uses stories and celebrities from television, film and comics to speak out against bullying and other forms of hate and prejudice.

Masterson says she was picked on herself in school.

She says bullying is a universal problem.

“Whether it’s in kindergarten, first grade, or high school or the work place or relationships, or economic bullying or terrorism or war, it’s oppression.  It’s the same issue.  So, if we can teach kids how to overcome that, how to be heroes and how to find the joy of being heroes at an early age, we really can change the world,” she said.

Middle schoolers from other local districts also attended.

Masterson is in Binghamton this weekend as a special guest of the 2-day RoberCon sci-fi convention where she’ll participate in a number of panels discussing both her acting career as well as her work to combat bullying.

(Original Source: http://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/local-news/star-trek-actress-brings-anti-bullying-message-to-local-middle-schoolers/563232570