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Why You Matter At Middle School East

Initially started at Chelsea High School in Michigan, #WhyYouMatter began as a way to manage grief after the loss of several students due to suicide. Bonnie Meeks, the visual arts teacher at Gahanna Middle School East was introduced to the project at the Ohio Art Educators Association Conference and was immediately inspired to bring it to her school. She began working on the plans with Principal Brad Barboza.

“I helped present the project to team leaders last summer and, later, led the staff in an exercise to begin thinking about their own Why You Matter statements,” said Meeks. “I also helped plan the layout of where the pictures of students’ statements would be hung around the school.”

At Gahanna Middle School East, the #WhyYouMatter project is demonstrated through an art installation in the school hallways. Each student was photographed holding a picture of themselves with an “I matter because…” statement. The installation went up in early March and ran through spring break.

“Students learned to self-reflect on their personal strengths,” added Meeks. “They also are learning to see and recognize the value in each and every person in their community.”

The purpose of #WhyYouMatter was to reinforce a sense of belonging among students at Middle School East, as well as give them and the staff the opportunity to reflect upon their circle of influence and the ways they can make the world a better place. The project included every member of the middle school community; every student, teacher, aide, secretary, custodian, etc. were photographed with their statements. As new students arrived, and new staff were hired, they also were included.

“I know a lot of people struggle to find ways to see how they can help the people around them,” said Amelia Suriano, a 6th-grade student at Middle School East. “We may not realize the different ways that we can help people around us, and this project helped to show everyone that they do have a purpose.”

#WhyYouMatter was not initially intended to be an annual project. However, after seeing the impact on the middle school community, project leaders hope to, one day, see art installations throughout the entire Gahanna Jefferson School District to help build a better sense of community.

“I think it’s important because a lot of kids are going through tough times because of COVID-19,” said Haley Ivins, a 7th-grade student. “I think everyone should know that they have a community that cares about them and that they do matter.”