Over 5.7 million or almost 30% of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. Over 160,000 children miss school each day as a result of being bullied.

Today at Flandreau Elementary, one man, known as the unknown star, is using his own misfortune and personal experiences of being bullied as inspiration to others.

"If I just save on or two children each time I go out and talk in that room that's the most wonderful feeling in the world," said Elton Rokusek after his speech.

Elton was born with angioma which is basically a benign tumor on the right side of his face that left him permanently marked and left a visible reminder to bully's that he's an easy target.

Elton recalls his days of being bullied, "They would start staring at me, they would start calling me names, young children, I knew at that time I was different but I had to accept it and I was really really afraid."

Not only has Elton accepted his condition but now year's later he's telling kids to judge people for who they are and not what they look like.

State Representative Bill Van Gerpen was at Flandreau Elementary School today and said more important than changing legislation to address the bullying issue is what Elton did today, changing hearts and attitudes.

Van Gerpen said that, "If they're sitting in a classroom trying to do math and they know there going to be laughed at out on the playground they're not focusing on math. I think what Elton is doing is addressing some core inner issues that are vitally important."

Vitally important as we start another school year, no matter what grade we're in.

"I love all of these kids, I just love them and I'm happy that I'm able to just talk to these children," said Elton.

If you're child is being bullied a good thing to keep in mind is that school's can't solve the problem if they don't know it's taking place, so be pro-active parent and let school administrators kow something is going on.