At Westerville South, the student body prides itself on making people feel seen and heard. The organization “Hope Squad” is utilized at South to help students recognize when their peers are struggling, and provides them with an outlet of support.
Sophomore Easton Kelly said, “Knowing I have resources such as ‘Hope Squad,’ it helps me feel comfortable at South. If I need help, I know I always have people I can turn to.”
The Westerville South “Hope Squad” includes students of all grades, and nominates students who want to help their community and turn it into a better place.
Every year, “Hope Squad” hosts a week to spread awareness on the organization as a whole, and this week is recognized as “Hope Week.” This week-long celebration is recognized by high schools all across the United States as a week to spread positivity and encourage people to help their peers. Jocelyn Hartings, sophomore, said, “Hope Week is a way to spread awareness of ‘Hope Squad’ and is a super fun event.”
This year, “Hope Week” happened this week, 1/27-1/31. Hope week was a big hit, with many students participating in the festivities.
Over the course of this week, students were encouraged to spread kindness and positivity to their peers. One way to do this is writing “hope grams,” small pieces of paper where you can write positive thoughts or notes to others.
Intervention Specialist Candi Bartlett, one of several organizers of this week, said, “With hope grams, we’re looking for students to bring out the positive thoughts about their peers and faculty members. It’s an outlet to express themselves and can also support students and teachers that may feel unrecognized.”
Throughout the week, students are encouraged to do these hope grams as a way to be involved in the festivities taking place.
Hartings added, “Hope grams are a way to compliment your friends while also helping Hope Squad make an impact. I’m not sure where the idea came from, but I look forward to making them for my friends every year.”
Some other festivities include a hot cocoa station on Monday, Jan. 27 and 27 raffle baskets that will be given away to lucky students.
Bartlett also said, “With this week, we hope for students to come out with a more positive mindset and more awareness of the resources in our building. By encouraging participation in our festivities, we’re hoping that students feel recognized and supported in the building as a whole.”
Makenna Tamru, junior, was excited to win one of the baskets after submitting many Hope grams to increase the odds of having her name drawn from the raffle. Tamru, being an active supporter of “Hope Squad,” felt she was destined to win one.
“I love getting to spread positivity and kindness to all my friends and to see the smiles and laughs throughout the school,” Tamru said.
With “Hope Week” being celebrated every year, “Hope Squad” is able to increase their impact on South as a whole,and helps students keep a positive mindset.
Kitty Rife, a freshman, said, “I’d never heard about ‘Hope Squad’ before coming to South, but I really love how they celebrated Hope Week this year and I cannot wait to see what they do next year.”
These festivities are definitely something that many students look forward to each year, and it is exciting to see what next year may bring.
