Schools

Helix Grad Screens Movie at Old Gym, Perfectly Frank About Bullies, Pranks

David Kano, along with partners in short film, draws out student stories in one of four assemblies.

They had just seen a short film about a “perfect prank” turned deadly.

One by one, students climbed down from the bleachers in the Helix Charter High School gym Thursday and approached a microphone stand. One boy told about being mocked for being short, several for being gay.

One asked: What do you say to a bully?

Actor/filmmaker Joe Grande—part of a panel that screened the 18-minute short called A Perfect Prank—said the proper response is: “I’m sorry you feel that way. But just to let you know—it really hurts my feelings.”

Or, he said, one can put it tougher: “Hey, man. That hurts my feelings!”

Unexpected advice and frank talk emerged in the third of four gym assemblies featuring Helix graduate David Kano, 24, a former La Mesan who wrote, produced and had a part in the film.

The short—which Kano hopes might someday air on MTV or VH-1—depicts a young man fooling his 15-year-old brother Chance into thinking he had a positive HIV test after arranging a sexy girl to smother him with kisses.

Over four sessions, 600 students saw the film and heard real stories of suicide and shame. The program came about when Kano contacted his former English teacher at Helix, Christine Moretti.

“She was one of the few that said my writing was worth something,” Kano said.  Her encouragement eventually led to him study broadcast journalism at Cal State Northridge and launch a career in Hollywood.

Helix executive director Rani Goyal said she kept the audiences small—about 150 students each—to foster a setting where teens could share their experiences. The School Climate Committee headed by teachers Colleen Robinson and Christine Potter helped organize the event.

Grande, the film’s director, told of being heckled for his weight as a youngster. He also told of pulling a prank as an adult that netted him 49 days in jail—dressing up in an orange jumpsuit labeled “County Jail” and going door-to-door asking residents to cut his handcuffs.

Perfect Prank actors Brad Bohannon and Evelyn Gonzalez also shared their stories, with Gonzalez recalling that she was called “big lips, gorilla lips.”

Throughout the exchange, panelists and Goyal stressed that bullies should stop, victims should seek help, and bystanders should not stay silent.

“Talk about your feelings,” students were told.

Said Goyal: “Let’s eradicate bullying on our campus and in our lives. Let me know, let your teachers know. None of us want you to be uncomfortable in school.”

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kano concluded by telling the story of a 28-year-old friend of his who took his own life after losing his business and breaking up with his girlfriend.

“Five days before he killed himself, he wrote [on Twitter]: ‘Rotting through this world all alone.’ ... I want to tell you: You’re never in this world alone. There’s always someone you can go to,” Kano said. “There’s always someone you can talk to.”

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here