A kind word goes a long way -- especially since it can be so easy to find discouraging ones. To surround their classmates with positivity, several 8th graders at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Wyoming have come up with an idea to use the power of words for good.
These students were inspired by the final project that one of them created for English Language Arts class in spring 2018. In exploring the theme of “How are we called to use our God-given talents to change the world?”, Ian J. decided to email positive messages to his classmates twice a week. Then he designed a survey to measure the messages’ impact. So many of his classmates said the messages made a helpful impact that Ian asked Principal Gregg Bruno if he could continue the messages this school year. Mr. Bruno said yes, and now Ian and three classmates collaborate to send positive messages twice a week to SJV’s 6th through 8th graders.
"I could not be more proud of him and what he is seeking to do," Mr. Bruno said about Ian's idea. Read more of Mr. Bruno's reaction here.
This student-led effort to cultivate kindness is teaching Ian and his classmates about what’s possible when ideas become action, and it’s further enriching the uplifting community at St. John Vianney Catholic School.
Mr. Bruno and Ian were recently featured on the WGVU Morning Show with Shelley Irwin to discuss this project. Listen to the interview here.