Stacie Lynn Hatt   Last updated at 11:50 AM on 24/08/07     Student transforms taunts into praise 16-year-old recovers from years of bullying through writing, singing, modelling KEVIN TOAL The Bedford Sackville Weekly News Bullying changed Stacie Lynn Hatt's life. She started writing music and developing other talents to cope with being picked on at school. Now, the 16-year-old Middle Sackville student has become a triple threat as a successful singer, songwriter and model. Hyatt says because of her size - Hatt is 6'2" and not petite - she became a target for teens who like to make fun of anyone different. From the time she was seven years old, Hatt endured taunts, which escalated to verbal threats and then violence in her teens. "I was on the bus and got hit in the face," Hatt recalled. "My friend kept me from crying. But, seeing that they weren't getting to me, the bully lit my friend's coat on fire." Hatt was 14 at the time. Although the responsible party was removed from school Hatt continued to receive threats from the bully's friends. "I used to let it get to me," Hatt said. "A lot of people who are bullied commit suicide. Then I talked to my mom. My mom was always there for me." Throughout the bad times, Hatt relied on her mother Jackie for support. To thank her, Hatt wrote a song for her mother called Beautiful. The song was not only heartfelt, but showed Hatt's budding talents. For her 15th birthday, Hatt's parents arranged for studio time to record Beautiful. Since then, she has written nine new songs and made four additional demo tapes. One song, Goodmorning, received an honorable mention in 2007 for the 11th annual Unisong International Songwriting Contest, which is open to songsmiths around the globe. But it was her vocal talents led Hatt into world of modeling. In April 2007, she auditioned for Nova Modeling and Talent to be part of Team Canada in the World Championships of Performing Arts to be held in Hollywood, California. Nova Model and Talent's owner, Tami Smith, noted Hatt's stature and enquired if she would be interested in plus-size modeling. "At first Stacie Lynn said no," recalled Hatt's mother. "But then she realized that if she got through to Hollywood, being in front of the judges in more than one category would probably be beneficial." Hatt agreed and was chosen, along with youth from Nova Scotia and other provinces, to represent Team Canada in competition against 20 countries. It was a good choice for Hatt and Team Canada. Not only was she awarded gold twice for vocals - as well as a bronze and silver - but she also received three gold's for modeling. Hatt also received an industry award, given to contestants believed to have a successful career ahead of them. She beat out Miss Plus-size America to win the overall world champion title. "It was great," Hatt said. "Just to meet other people who were singing, acting and modeling. We all respected each other." During the event, Hatt met with two interested music producers and began negotiations for modelling work. "To think that not only has her music been recognized, but that something the other children and teens have picked on her so much for has become something that she can use as a strength in her own life," Hyatt's mother said.