Alex Hopkins was the subject of the documentary "Bully" and helped spark a movement. See the awful place where he started, then see the heartwarming places he's going.

“The Bully Effect,” is a powerful documentary profiling the impact of the anti-bullying movement and campaigns to end intimidation and harassment.

“The Bully Effect” is the result of a year of research into the individuals profiled in the award-winning documentary and grassroots movement, The Bully Project.

This year 13 million American children will be bullied, making it the most common form of violence facing American youth, according to The Bully Project. Three million students will be absent from school because they feel unsafe.

The Bully Project is a call to action for all Americans to stand together to protect our youth and end bullying. To learn more about the HRC Foundation’s work to create a safe and welcoming learning environment, visit Welcoming Schools.

Now see what's happened since. (Yes, he's a freestyle rapper now in his spare time.):

Anderson Cooper premiered the "Bully Effect" on CNN's AC360 Thursday evening. Click here to watch Anderson discuss the documentary.

Yet another instance in which a gun was a really bad idea.

Via:

A Denver mother who believed her daughter was being bullied at school drove into the school's parking lot and threatened four girls with a gun, according to an arrest document.

Monica Avila, 34, was charged Tuesday with four counts of felony menacing and one count of possession of a weapon on school grounds, also a felony. According to the probable cause statement accompanying her arrest paperwork, Avila drove into the parking lot at Lake Middle School on Thursday afternoon and confronted four girls, ages 13 and 14.

The statement says Avila began arguing with the girls about bullying. She then, while still sitting in her car, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and said, "Look what I have," the document states.

Now Monica is in jail in lieu of $50k bail, and with those felony charges, it could be a long while before she isn't behind bars. The "bullies" will still be at school with Monica's daughter, and there will no doubt be a "special" grudge there that could potentially last a lifetime. A gun in your face isn't something anyone would likely soon forget.

Even without firing a single bullet, this case of poor judgement with a gun will affect many more lives than just Monica's for years to come. It may only have been dumb luck that no one was killed this time.

A 10-year-old girl, Sophia Bailey Klugh, wrote to President Barack Obama recently to praise him for his stance on marriage equality, and to ask his advice about what she should do when teased at school because she had two dads.

What a surprise that during the hectic final days of campaigning, the President took the time to respond to Sophia's letter, and share his advice on how to deal with teasing at school:

Dear Sophia,

Thank you for writing me such a thoughtful letter about your family. Reading it made me proud to be your president and even more hopeful about the future of our nation.

In America, no two families look the same. We celebrate this diversity. And we recognize that whether you have two dads or one mom what matters above all is the love we show one another. You are very fortunate to have two parents who care deeply for you. They are lucky to have such an exceptional daughter in you.

Our differences unite us. You and I are blessed to live in a country where we are born equal no matter what we look like on the outside, where we grow up, or who our parents are. A good rule is to treat others the way you hope they will treat you. Remind your friends at school about this rule if they say something that hurts your feelings.

Thanks again for taking the time to write me. I'm honored to have your support and inspired by your compassion. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to dinner, but I'll be sure to tell Sasha and Malia you say hello.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Does anyone have an extra tissue handy? *Sniff*