BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -  

Students from all over Kern County gathered today to learn how to stop bullying.

The training was organized by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

It’s designed to turn students into anti-bullying ambassadors at their schools. It’s called Waking Up the Courage.

The training was run by Rick Phillips of Community Matters who said students can be the most effective tools against bullying.

Phillips said better school security doesn't always address the root problems that lead to school violence.

"We can invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in cameras and metal detectors and even security personnel. We might stop guns from coming in, or knives, but we can’t stop prejudice, we can’t stop gangs, we can’t stop racism, homophobia, we can’t stop grudges from the neighborhood," Phillips said.