MIDVALE, UT-Hillcrest High School students spent the past week focusing on simple acts of kindness as part of the school’s annual Kindness Week. Hope Squad members helped organize activities, decorations, and reminders meant for the school during a busy time of the year.
Vice President Isaac Young explained why the event happens during this part of the school year. “We usually do it in the winter because it’s kind of a harder time for some people. It helps bring people up a little bit,” he said.
When asked about his yearly traditions, he explained, “ Some of the activities stay the same, but we try to add new things. We’ve done posters, kindness cards, and activities during lunch,” he said. His favorite part is watching students take part in the events. “I like seeing people get involved. Even small things can make someone’s day better.”
President Layla Gardner explained that Kindness Week was created by Hope Squad and that the group chose this week to help prepare for Hope Week in March. “We felt it was a good time, and we wanted to get ready for Hope Week,” she said.
Like Isaac, she said the activities vary from year to year. “We try to change it up. Some things stay the same, like the kindness chain and decorations on the senior bench,” she said.
When asked about her favorite tradition, she said, “I always love the kindness chains because I like seeing how everyone contributes to a big project.”
This year’s theme was “Finding Kindness,” inspired by the movie Finding Nemo. Layla said the goal was to spread small amounts of positivity. “Even if it’s just a smiley-face sticker that made someone happy, that was the goal,” she said.
Layla also discussed how Kindness Week impacts the school environment. “School’s hard. We’re busy and stressed. Kindness Week takes off some of that stress and makes the school feel a little happier,” she said.
As the week drew to a close, she explained how she had supported the events. “I’ve been reposting announcements and joining the activity so people know what Hope Squad is doing,” she said.
Both Isaac and Layla described Kindness Week as a time when students come together to make school feel a little lighter, one small action at a time.