A group of high school students were reminded of the importance of choosing kindness in everyday scenarios on Monday.
Bow Valley High School (BVHS) hosted its fifth annual Kindness Cafe on March 19, an event that serves as the school’s extension of Pink Shirt Day – an anti-bullying movement.
During the event, a number of student performances were showcased including Sebastien Aube, a Grade 11 student who performed Fix You by Coldplay alongside school counsellor Andrew Nicholson.
The performance was a dedication to Zachary Allen, a former BVHS student who took his own life in December 2017.
“He was such a nice guy … it just sucks that he’s gone,” said Aube.
Nicholson, who was invested in Allen’s counselling, said the event was a way to remind students that they can control their interactions with others.
“Even if somebody rubs you the wrong way, you can always choose to take the kindness route,” Nicholson said.
The drama students also performed a segment from their upcoming performance of Grease.
Heather Holiday, a learning commons facilitator at the school who helped organize the event, said she was pleased with the turnout, given the impact it can have on students.
“It’s taken on a life of itself. We wanted to separate ourselves just from wearing shirts and get a message across,” Holiday said, adding the core message was to increase awareness of others around you. Just take some time and take a look around you. Be kind, you might change someone’s life,” she said. “Their performance was really nice. I think it affected quite a few people. It will be interesting to see if there will be any kind of residual effect.”
Lorelei Andrews, Grade 11, said the event reaffirms the positive culture of her school.
“Every school has their bullies. I find there are fewer in our school and I really think us all coming today makes it better and makes us more aware of how good our school is for it,” Andrews said. “I think it’s a good way to be together as a school and support the pink T-shirt day and also have it be a personal school thing as well.”
The cafe was held in the learning commons where students ate lunches and cupcakes baked by teachers.
