Meet Shari Ann
After the murder of her only son Devan Bracci-Selvey on October 7, 2019 outside Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Hamilton, Shari Ann created Devan's Legacy in hopes that she might assist other victims and their families in advocating against bullying and avoiding the same tragedy from happening again.
Devan, a 14-year-old new to Grade 9 student was stabbed to death outside the school and in front of his mother. His violent and unnecessary death would bring out changes at the government level in regards to the way School Boards in Ontario are now mandated to address bullying including specific changes to their policies and procedures around bullying.
Following Devan’s death, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Trustees created the Safe Schools: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel. They asked three well-respected community members — Dr. Jean Clinton, Brenda Flaherty and Dr. Gary Warner — to help the board address bullying. The panel members shared the following statement after delivering their final report:
“While this report concludes months of consultation, it does not end the work required to address bullying in our schools and in our society. It begins the call to action.
We remain humbled by the heartfelt community input that shaped these student-focused recommendations.
We believe that our stance on bullying reveals our character as a people. Do we comfort those who suffer? Do we stand up to those who cause harm?
Devan Bracci-Selvey’s tragic death began a continuing conversation about our collective responsibility to address bullying. We dedicate this report and its recommendations to the memory of Devan, to his family and to everyone who suffers as a result of bullying
As scholars, we are comforted that this report and recommendations were informed by research, best practices, and the lived experiences of school communities.
As community members, we yearn to see this work bring some closure to those who know tragedy, some healing to those who hurt, and the kind of committed, collective action that will improve the lives of children.”
The final report which was approved by the HWDSB Board of Trustees on January 25, 2021 serves as the guide for the current development of HWDSB Board policies and procedures.
Devan, a 14-year-old new to Grade 9 student was stabbed to death outside the school and in front of his mother. His violent and unnecessary death would bring out changes at the government level in regards to the way School Boards in Ontario are now mandated to address bullying including specific changes to their policies and procedures around bullying.
Following Devan’s death, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Trustees created the Safe Schools: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel. They asked three well-respected community members — Dr. Jean Clinton, Brenda Flaherty and Dr. Gary Warner — to help the board address bullying. The panel members shared the following statement after delivering their final report:
“While this report concludes months of consultation, it does not end the work required to address bullying in our schools and in our society. It begins the call to action.
We remain humbled by the heartfelt community input that shaped these student-focused recommendations.
We believe that our stance on bullying reveals our character as a people. Do we comfort those who suffer? Do we stand up to those who cause harm?
Devan Bracci-Selvey’s tragic death began a continuing conversation about our collective responsibility to address bullying. We dedicate this report and its recommendations to the memory of Devan, to his family and to everyone who suffers as a result of bullying
As scholars, we are comforted that this report and recommendations were informed by research, best practices, and the lived experiences of school communities.
As community members, we yearn to see this work bring some closure to those who know tragedy, some healing to those who hurt, and the kind of committed, collective action that will improve the lives of children.”
The final report which was approved by the HWDSB Board of Trustees on January 25, 2021 serves as the guide for the current development of HWDSB Board policies and procedures.
Shari and Devan
Devan's Legacy is a committed member of the Advocates For Our Youth consortium (AFOY)