Maine West Grad Raising Money for Movie About Bullying

Maine West High School graduate Carrie Lynn Certa is trying to finance a fictional film about bullying.

Certa, who graduated in 1992 and is a native of Des Plaines, wrote the script for the film, "The Study of Happiness," and plans to direct it. She's hoping to raise $75,000 in financing.

Certa said she was driven to write the story after the experience of a friend of hers whose daughter was bullied, sexually, by a boy. The incident happened when the girl was 11. Certa said the girl ended up having to leave the school.

"We've all been bullied at some point," Certa said. "I was not popular in high school at all. It was the typical teasing and name calling, but nothing as extreme [as what happened to her friend's daughter]. To me this is an extremely personal story."

Certa was in Des Plaines and said she'd love to have the opportunity to film the movie at Maine West High School. Maine West has been embroiled in a hazing scandal that resulted in criminal charges of battery, hazing and failure to report abuse against former soccer coach Michael Divencenzo.

The hazing accusations assert that freshman players were sometimes held down while other varsity players inserted sticks and fingers into their buttocks, according to the Cook County State's Attorney.

Maine Township High School District 207 has maintained it complied fully with its obligation to report the bullying and hazing incidents to DCFS, and released a report from an investigation done within the district that stated the district did not commit any wrongdoing.

A civil lawsuit involving several current and former students is pending.

"I think it would be great to do the film at Maine West," Certa said. "It's a movie that is anti-bullying and it would be a great way to send a message. There is a need to educate students about what bullying is and what they can do about it."

Although Certa's script is not inspired by the hazing scandal, there are some overtones. She said the story takes place in one day and involves a student who has to confront various life issues. In one scene the male student is assaulted in a locker room.

Certa has previously worked as a field producer on Bridezillas and on various E! Entertainment series including the True Hollywood Story of Sarah: Duchess of York.