Once bullied, he grew up to create an antidote: the Buddy Bowl

MARYSVILLE — The world has not always been fair to Preston Dwoskin, but that hasn’t stopped him from working to make it fairer.

Dwoskin organized an event Saturday afternoon that drew nearly 100 spectators to Marysville Getchell High School. It was the second annual Buddy Bowl, an exhibition football game intended to raise awareness about bullying.

Two years ago, Dwoskin dreamt up the Buddy Bowl to promote his anti-bullying message for local schools. A lifelong Marysville resident, Dwoskin has special needs and is 94% deaf, he said. He was bullied and teased at school as a child. Those experiences inspired him to become a public speaker.

Dwoskin’s biggest ambition was to be the head referee of a football game. He got that chance when he reffed the inaugural Buddy Bowl in 2019 at Everett Memorial Stadium. Last year, amid the pandemic, the game was cancelled.

He got to live that dream again Saturday. Pregame festivities included pump-up music and speeches by Dwoskin, Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Ken Klein, a director representing the Snohomish County executive’s office.

During his speech, Klein presented a proclamation declaring Dec. 11, 2021, as Buddy Bowl Day in Snohomish County.

Nehring also presented a proclamation declaring Buddy Bowl Day in the City of Marysville. He told The Daily Herald that he appreciates all the work Dwoskin has put into the Buddy Bowl and making Marysville a safe place.

“It’s really exciting,” Nehring said. “The anti-bullying message is a really important one, especially now.”

The crowd went wild as second- and third-graders from Marysville and Stanwood took formation on the field after the coin flip.

“Watch the snap!” one parent shouted from the sidelines.

“One, two, three, four!” chanted cheerleaders on field. “What do you think those cleats are for?”

The seven Stanwood Youth Cheerleaders, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, sported red Santa hats and matching red uniforms as they cheered on the “away” team.

Camilla Brown, 6, was one of the cheerleaders. She said the key to stopping bullying is helping others at school.

“If someone falls down,” Brown said, “I say, ‘Are you OK?’ And if they say no, I tell the teacher.”

Parker McCool, 6, watched the spectacle with his mother from the stands. McCool said treating other children kindly at school is important if you want to be a “good grownup.”

When asked for advice he’d give others on how to be nice, McCool said people should do nice things like help each other tie their shoes.

Cayden Walsch, 12, stood on the sidelines to watch the game with his uncle.

Walsch said he’s witnessed more bullying since he transitioned from elementary to middle school. This would not be the case if people were more in tune with their emotions and the emotions of others, he said.

Dwoskin met Walsch’s uncle, Dave Widness, in the third grade. He said he he felt hopeless about life until the day Widness stood up for him on the school playground.

“Dave saved my life,” Dwoskin said.

Widness said he’s proud of Dwoskin and all the hard work he’s done to better his community.

“He has some disabilities, but he doesn’t let it hold him back,” Widness said. “When I met him, he fit right in with me and played all the sports my buddies and I played. Who doesn’t need a friend?”

Dwoskin’s anti-bullying message is powerful because it inspires people to look out for each other, Widness said.

He said, “If you reach a hand out, it can really change somebody’s life.”

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.