Former UofL basketball star helps students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School 'Stomp Out Bullying'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Students at a Louisville middle school tried to stomp out bullying with the help of a former UofL basketball star.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School hosted a Sneaker Ball to Stomp Out Bullying on Thursday.

Sixth graders who had no discipline for the month of October were invited to a dance wearing their favorite shoes.

An extra incentive for students to attend came from former Cardinal basketball player Peyton Siva, who attended the dance and gave away some sneakers.

"Our students are really into shoes, I don't know if you know anything about middle schoolers or high schoolers, and when we came up with the theme to 'stomp out bullying,' we thought that the sneaker ball would be something fun," said Rachel Pugh, assistant principal at Thomas Jefferson.

The event was a behavior incentive for the students. School leaders said more than 90% of the sixth graders got to attend. They plan to organize another event for November.

October is National Bullying Awareness Month.