Hundreds of students at Cottonwood’s Mountain View Preparatory vowed to make the world a kinder place Tuesday, Nov. 15.
In concert with local group SedonaKind, MVP hosted Think Kindness founder, Brian Williams, a self-described “Kindness Ninja” — a man who came prepared not only with a t-shirt proclaiming the title, but a fourth-degree back belt. A nationally recognized kindness advocate, Williams promotes kindness in schools and communities, engaging people in an effort to improve lives and reduce bullying.
“A kindness ninja is someone who goes out and does kind things with no one knowing,” Williams said. “What if I could find the school in America with the most kindness ninjas?”
Williams roused the students to take part in his program, Five Thousand Acts of Kindness in Fifteen Days, which encourages students, parents and teachers to perform and track 5,000 acts of kindness. According to Williams, there are over 70,000 students taking part nationwide. Last year, a K-8 school of similar size to MVP took the prize for most acts documented.
In addition to MVP, this year West Sedona School and Big Park Community School are taking part.
“Over in Sedona, they think they can beat you,” Williams said. “You think they can?”
The students of MVP roared, “No!”
According to SedonaKind Kindness in Schools chairwoman Gloria Woody, her peers became interested in Think Kindness because it promoted a general message — kindness, as opposed to anti-bullying. “We met with teachers and principals and they enthusiastically embraced the idea …. We work intensively with the children to get them excited about being kind and how fun doing good can be.”
After learning about the WSS program, Big Park decided to join. With the assistance of SedonaKind, the school raised the funds to take part. MVP followed, raising funds on its own to bring Williams in.
“It’s so exciting,” SedonaKind founder Jawn McKinley stated. “Just imagine. With these three schools, the Verde Valley will enjoy the effects of 15,000 acts of kindness in just 15 days. And we all know the impacts will continue long after the program is over.”
Williams made sure students understood his message, telling stories of his own upbringing — of being bullied, of not making the kindest choices when the pressure was upon him. He encouraged students to be fearless in their pursuit of kindness, doing the right thing even when it is not convenient or might draw the attention of small-minded people.
“You guys have 15 days to change the world,” Williams said. “I know you can do it.”
For more information, contact the SedonaKind Kindness In Schools team at gailandgloria@gmail.com.
