SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Students at Edison Middle School are on a mission to make it easier, and more fun, for one another to connect.
The school’s Kindness Club had a special message and a few treats lined up for their peers all of last week.
“It’s fun to find friends in different grades,” Kindness Club member Alexis Wright said.
The school club hosts activities for students to get to know one another year round. Last week, the student-led group dedicated each of the five school days to a different “kindness focused” activity.
“When we were brainstorming for our Kindness Week, a lot of the kids came up with their own ideas about what to do,” EMS Kindness Club advisor Christine Hupke said. “We just kind of said that this is when it’s going to happen, and they’re like, oh, let’s do this, or oh, let’s do this.”
It’s hard not to smile at the sight of donuts, and that’s exactly what club members had in mind for Thursday’s breakfast event. Students could enjoy their treat with a new friend.
“I feel like it was cool that our school did this. It’s not something I think other schools do,” said student Anna Bauer, who was taking part in the club’s events that week. “It’s something interesting that they came up with to do.”
“Even though I’ve gone here all three years, I don’t know some of the sixth and seventh graders. So, I like talking to them,” student Saniya Shoultz said.
“I got to meet new people,” student Nyla Rueckert said about Thursday’s event. “There was a girl sitting alone, so we sat with her, and we got to have a conversation with her.”
The impact Kindness Club members receive is just as rewarding.
“It was just nice to see people getting to know other people and them becoming friends and them being happy and me knowing I was a part of that,” Kindness Club member Whitney Christie said.
“Helping people is a big thing at Edison,” Kindness Club member Isla Parvin said.
The idea for the club took shape a few years ago. As quarantine measures were ending, teachers felt that everyone could benefit from more kindness.
“COVID really killed school clubs. I mean, they just completely ceased to exist. One of our principals approached me right after quarantine was like, hey, what do you think about maybe starting up a kindness club?” EMS Kindness Club advisor Mollie Weflen said.
Unlike clubs focused on a specific interest, kindness was a universal appeal.
“It wasn’t just if you’re interested in board games or if you’re interested in Legos or interested in music. Kindness is something anybody can do,” Weflen said. “It just allowed a place for every student to belong if they wanted to.”
“I saw people at the Kindness Club last year,” Kindness Club member Penelope Kustak said. “They were making new activities to do throughout the year, and I thought that was really fun and cool to be a part of.”
Kindness is in the words we say, the things we do and the impacts we leave.
“I feel like being kind can make you feel better about yourself,” Kindness Club member Aurora Harming said.
It can go a long way and make someone smile. Oftentimes, you’ll find that’s just enough to fill your day, too.
“If there’s a choice to be kind, you should probably choose kind,” Kindness Club member Lilian Anderson said.
