Students at CHS slam their lockers shut and impatiently wait by the doors. As the days get longer and spring approaches, people are ready for the third quarter to finally be done. With endings come new beginnings, and it is important to reflect on how many teachers at CHS have made long-lasting impacts on the student body. Hundreds of students also set aside countless hours for extracurricular activities, sports, and academics. However, many small interactions and acts of kindness often go unnoticed. Taking a few seconds to appreciate others can make all the difference to someone.
History teacher Mr. Potter has observed many moments where students radiated kindness and positive energy. Last year, he taught a geography class with a student connected to a local family from Liberia.
“He does all sorts of charitable acts for them. After surviving multiple civil wars, he dedicated time to building schools and homes for poor people in Africa,” Potter explained in depth. The student shared pictures, videos, and stories of his life with the class. Afterwards, one classmate was emotionally touched and decided to offer $20 of his own money to spend on their mission in Africa.
Potter explained, ”I think that a lot of it is just understanding that pretty much everybody is trying their best in life, and my version of trying my best does not look the same as others.” He added that even a small act of kindness or a burst of happiness can give someone a reason to keep going.
WDSO radio members Jamie Hodson and Lacei Kuckkuck have also experienced acts of kindness this week. Jamie went on a field trip to a radio station and got Jimmy John’s as a treat along the way. There were no seats left on the bus, but Jamie’s friend Bear moved so they could share. Lacei was offered a dollar by a stranger in the middle of the school day. Both students explained that they were happier and motivated to continue with their routines. In the community, these simple yet meaningful interactions show how kindness can have positive effects on student life.
Many people at CHS have acted kindly within school hours and made a small difference in someone’s day. Consider both Jamie Hodson and Lacie Kuckkuck, who took five minutes out of their day to reflect. Mr. Potter witnessed a kind and selfless interaction firsthand. CHS continues to grow and become more interconnected as people search for simple human connections in all areas of their lives. The newspaper staff challenges anyone reading this to find moments where kindness flourishes.
