Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17. But what makes someone truly kind? Ten high school students in Ketchikan might know the answer. The students were called out of class and surprised with awards for their kindness.
In the sun-drenched Kayhi Commons, the unwitting recipients of the “Kindness Matters” Award are being pulled out of class on a Thursday for the surprise ceremony. They were nominated by faculty members.
Sarah Campbell, a Kayhi English teacher, presents the awards.
Inside each envelope is money donated by an anonymous member of the community. Though, the kids don’t know that yet.
“Miss Haleigh, you were nominated because you include new students, and you make them feel welcome. And you make them feel safe at Kayhi,” Campbell addresses senior Haleigh Bolton, who is applauded by her peers.
Freshman Henry Vail witnessed other boys harassing a girl in the hallway and stood up to them about it. On another occasion, staff saw Vail going out of his way to walk with another ninth grader who was having a hard time making friends. Campbell hands him an envelope.
The students were all nominated for different reasons. There’s Oliver Wutzke, who is being recognized for being fair, funny, and easy-going, or Lily Gosnell, who supports people, whether she agrees with them or not.
In the three years that Kayhi has offered this award, one student has been nominated every single year. Faculty describe junior Bailey Albrant as someone who makes everyone around her feel safe and comfortable.
“I think kindness is really important because you don’t know what someone’s going through. So it’s just kind of important to make someone’s day better,” says Albrant, adding that it’s important to say hello to everyone in the halls, no matter who they are.
Freshman Brianna Gilson stresses the importance of extending that courtesy to teachers too.
“I love like skipping into the office every morning and saying hi,” Gilson explains, “because teachers are just humans. They make mistakes too. Sometimes they have hard times in life. So it’s just nice to have one kid that comes in every morning so bubbly. It makes their day. I think that’s one of my favorite things.”
“When it comes to the kindness award, it’s not something you generally expect to get, especially if you live it just as a lifestyle. You know, you treat others with respect, and you have confidence in yourself and other people’s ability and help nurture them and grow them, and just be a good influence to those around you. It’s just something that happens,” says senior Phoenix Boles.
Boles has been through four years at Kayhi and knows as well as anyone that it isn’t always easy to be kind in high school.
“We’re all teenagers. You know, puberty, hormones, and stuff like that,” he admits. “We’re not always in the right mindset. And we’re dramatic, you know, we’re all over the place. So it’s just that one seedling that can brings stability to people’s lives, in my opinion, because you never know what somebody else’s situation could be. And so having that pillar just for the kid you see in the hallway once or twice a year, or your best friend is really something huge.”
Boles was nominated for being a thoughtful leader among his peers.
After each of the ten students is recognized one by one, they open their envelopes. Inside each is a crisp $100 bill – their unexpected winnings for doing what matters in and outside the halls of Kayhi: being kind.
Get in touch with the author at Jack@krbd.org.
2024 Kayhi “Kindness Matters” Award winners
- Brianna Gilson (grade 9)
- Chase Stewart (grade 9)
- Henry Vail (grade 9)
- Oliver Wutzke (grade 10)
- Bailey Albrant (grade 11)
- Phoenix Boles (grade 12)
- Haleigh Bolton (grade 12)
- Aiden Copeland (grade 12)
- Lily Gosnell (grade 12)
- Axl Schomaker (grade 12)
