Gianna Tantillo of Melville was recently appointed by Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly to serve as the 17th District representative on the Suffolk County Youth Anti-Bullying Task Force.
The task force was established under Resolution No. 419-2019 and comprises of 18 county residents (between ages 16 and 18) who were appointed by each legislator to represent their legislative district.
The group meets regularly throughout the year to examine the issues of bullying and recommend programs and methods to combat bullying both in school and through social media or technology.
“Bullying, whether it be in person or over the internet, has become rampant,” said Legislator Donnelly. “Gianna is true student leader and role model who will bring new innovative ideas to our anti-bullying task force.”
A student at Half Hollow Hills High School East, Tantillo was appointed after Donnelly got to know her as a participant in the Suffolk County Distinguished Youth Award Program, along with her nonprofit work with KiDS NEED MORE – an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, families and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illnesses.