This breaks my heart to read all of your accounts of unhappy times in school, when children spend so much time in school it should be a rewarding time.
No, I wasn't bullied - I do recall small things with other kids, there's always that, but nothing major. I remember once in grade school an older boy was behaving in a threatening way, but it turned out he wanted to kiss me! lol No way he did. I was always at the top of my class too (except in Math! lol), and nobody ever bothered me about it, some kids liked that. Maybe I was in my own little world, I don't know; ah, just as well.
While not the most popular kid or in "the" clique, I had friends across the boards - if I liked them, I was friendly and hung out with them, regardless of their "social status". I wasn't raised to pick on people, and I'm a very empathic person anyway, and I wouldn't stand for it if I saw someone picking on anyone or anything, still won't. I didn't feel the need to follow anyone or fit in, I kinda did and do my own thing.
Schools need to be more active in stopping bullying - it's very serious. I feel very badly about this young woman who felt she had no other alternative than to end her life because these people are not worth it. I hope they and their families are held accountable.