December 2016
In other words, the need for additional positive
acts was bigger than the need for an antibullying, which is a huge accomplishment for a
high school.
posted with the inspiring banners in the
bathrooms, and the effect is still in play. Caroline
has noticed this as well and said, “The effect has
been so cool to see people really into it. It makes
you smile, because I know that if someone is
having a hard day, it’s one extra reason that they
can be happy.”
Another member, Caroline Carr, senior, said,
“There is not a lot of face-to-face bullying that
goes on at our school, which is really special and
is one thing I love about OLu.” However, that
isn't to say that there is not any bullying. She said,
“I do think there is a lot of talk behind people’s
backs and I think giving people confidence to
speak out against that and being able to know
that there are people that want to end that sort of
talk.”
Gooch said, “I am doing just a small part, and I
don't know what effect that may have on their
lives, and I may never know, but the fact that I
am doing as Christ called us to do, just sharing
his image” is something she has enjoyed.
Gartman’s goal of spreading kindness has created
an impact in so many people’s lives. She said, “If
you are kind to someone, then you feel good
inside, and that makes that person feel good
which is like a domino effect.” That has held true
with this club.
In order to accomplish this, the Kindness Counts
Club has already done exceptional things for
OLu. Gartman, who is in charge of the club, has
organized what she calls “philanthropies,” to take
-on the bigger picture. A philanthropy is “a desire
to improve the material, social, and spiritual
welfare of humanity, especially through
charitable activities,” according to
Dictionary.com, which is exactly what this club
plans to do. The philanthropies are like different
groups or teams that take on a specific project,
such as the inspirational mirror banners in the
girls’ bathrooms.
The Kindness Counts Club has provided an
opportunity for people to take time out of their
methodical schedule to share kindness. When the
to-dos are prioritized into what is needed most,
genuine compassion for one another can be
found at the top of the list.
A popular philanthropy was the “Fishing for
Compliments” wall in one of the school hallways.
It was a giant poster with a pond drawn on it and
taped inside the pond were paper fish with
compliments written on them. Students were
encouraged to take one off the wall and put it on
someone's locker or pass it to friends. Anysa
Wilson, sophomore, said, “It was a really good
way to bring community throughout the school
and it was a great random act of kindness.”
Other projects that are being planned and put
into action are posters, candy grams, and possibly
even free car washes. The initiative of spreading
kindness goes beyond campus, but school is a
great place to start.
Caroline Carr, senior, joined the club
because “it sounded really cool because
we didn’t have anything like it on campus.”
The effect of the club so far has been noticeably
positive. The complement fish were seen all over
the school, countless mirror selfies have been
Photo courtesy of Caroline Carr
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