Nikki Haley was the special guest of honor. She came to Alexander Elementary in Greenville County to tell her on story, of being bullied as a child, and encourage children to stand up for each other.
But before her presentation, the children at that school all said they had either been bullied themselves or seen it happen to someone else.
"It happened on the bus," said one 4th grade girl. "she grabbed her brother's poster from the book fair and hit (another girl) in the head."
"There was a new kid and the bully was pushing him around," said a 5th grade boy.
A 3rd grade girl said, "they used to call me names and they used to hit me and they put signs on me."
7 On Your Side talked to dozens of children in advance of the Governor's visit. Most told similar stories.
But there is a renewed focus on the problem in South Carolina. Alexander has been teaching each class to stand up for their friends and report bullies to their teachers.
The state has specific guidelines that define bully behavior. In 2005, the "Safe School Climate Act" made clear that students need a safe enviornment to learn.
But Gov. Haley says there is a limit to what the government can do.
"We shouldn't think that legislation is going to fix everything. We have a converstaion with second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade and tell them why they shouldn't do this. It is so much more important than legislation, saying we can't have this in school."
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