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SARASOTA (WSNN) – Saturday morning, a former Sarasota resident read her anti-bullying children’s book to kids.

It took place at Children’s World in Sarasota.

Noelia Voigt, Miss Connecticut collegiate America 2021, wrote a book called “Maddie the BRAVE,” based on a true story.

Maddie, the main character in the book, lost her life to bullying in 2018.

She’s hoping to teach kids to practice self-love and positive self-affirmations while helping them identify what bullying may look like.

“BRAVE stands for Building Respect And Value Everyone,” Voigt said. “So, it’s an acronym that we kind of use to kind of encourage the kids to learn more about the importance of building respect and values for people. And understanding that people have feelings and how important it is to be kind and how important it is to start learning at that young age.”

CDC considers bullying an epidemic. And Voigt wants to be a part of changing that.

At the book signing, she crowned little girls with tiaras and placed capes on boys.

A fun and educational event for all.