NATCHEZ — October is National Prevent Bullying Month and the Natchez-Adams School District is hosting an event Saturday to help teens learn strategies to help prevent bullying.

“Three years ago, Dr. Brenda Robertson, when she came on to the school board, came up with an event focused on anti-bullying so with October being anti-bullying month we hold the event each year,” said Tony Fields, NASD public relations coordinator.

This year’s event titled 3rd Annual Youth Summit Peer Pressure and Bullying will be from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday in the Natchez High School Auditorium, 319 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, Natchez. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday  for the free event and lunch will be provided.

Participation in the event is mandatory for student athletes and students who participate in extracurricular activities, Fields said.

“This kicks off homecoming festivities,” Fields said, adding Natchez High’s homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Fields said athletes and extra curricular activity participants are required to attend because they are often leaders.

“A lot of times they are our community leaders, and we ask that they get that message out about no bullying,” Fields said, adding the event is open to any middle or high school student in the NASD or not.

Several speakers are scheduled to deliver messages for coping with bullying and preventing bullying.

“The mayor (Darryl Grennell) will come in and talk about how he was bullied in school and how he overcame that,” Fields said. “Glenesse Smith Lollice will talk about domestic violence and teen pregnancy. We are going to have Jessica Dean talk about the effects of bullying and how to cope.”

Fields said members of the Natchez Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s office also will be on hand to talk about violence and cyber bullying.

“They will have an open and candid conversation about how to handle those and deter those things from happening,” Fields said.

The district expects to have at least 200 students participate, Fields said.