Valley High School was transformed into a world of pink last Wednesday.
Filled with cupcakes, music and kindness, the fourth annual Kindness Café kicked off the lunch hour featuring musicians from the school while inviting the students to help transform the world into a kinder place.
The Kindness Café was started as a way to shine a spotlight on students who might typically shy away from centre stage.
It began as part of Pink Shirt Day where the community is invited to don pink apparel to raise awareness for anti-bullying initiatives.
“The café features kids who are interested in performing who you would’ve never expected,” explained Heather Holliday, café organizer and Bow Valley High learnings commons staff.
One of the performers, Luka Nuńez, 19, said normally he likes to “stay behind the scenes” but was glad for the opportunity to show his skills last week.
“It felt great – I was nervous at first but it was good,” said the Bow Valley High student.
Emigrating from Mexico two years ago with his family, Nuńez was described as a quiet and “kind of shy” student. From “staying behind the scenes” to performing with school guidance counsellor Andrew Nicholson at the front of the pink decorated room, Nuńez said his goal is to produce music one day.
“There was a lot of appreciation and genuine interest – you could hear a pin drop,” Holliday said.
Despite one of the performers being absent from the event, teachers said the students still had a “great time” and are looking forward to next year’s café.
