For the past five years, Worthington Kilbourne guidance counselors have run a simple whiteboard activity focused on showcasing ways students feel loved, cared for, or words that WKHS students "live by". Every student who participated can find their pictures on @wkhs_counselors on Instagram.
Although Guidance Counselor Brianna Abbott is in charge of this activity, she states that behind the scenes, "all of the School Counselors share a group responsibility for making full school activities like this a reality."
However, Abbott feels that one aspect that is always overlooked is the timing of this activity. While some think itś just another back to school event, the month of September is actually very significant. According to Abbott, "it is aligned with national suicide prevention month."
This was previously unknown to many students, including Freshman, Hunter Poe. "I did not know it was during national suicide prevention month, but now that I do, it makes sense. ... I can imagine this would be very beneficial during suicide prevention month because of the aspect of community and also the nature of the activity."
"To spread positive messages"
Abbott (seen left) started this activity for those same reasons, "to spread positive messages," but also "to remind everyone at WKHS that we make a difference in the lives of those around us and that paying attention to the good is important because so much of our time, energy and effort gets caught up in the challenges or negative moments happening in our lives."
Even though this whiteboard event was targeted at building community, and positive messages, it was used by some students as an opportunity to joke around. Sophomore, Mason Sloma who did not participate in the activity but still witnessed the event says, "it was almost a joke; I didn't want to participate because it seemed kind of stupid. ... Next year, I might do it even if it is kind of stupid because all of my friends did it and seemed to have fun."
In the future, Sloma adds that he would like to see "what makes you, you" as a theme.
Poe wishes to see a "who or what inspires you" theme; "I think it would be cool to see, and it could make some people feel very thankful."
Similarly to Poe, Sloma suggested "a people you appreciate theme" as well.
Although Sloma did not participate, he felt very strongly about important people around the school participating, such as Principal Aric Thomas (seen right). Even though Sloma claims to understand the busyness of day-to-day life as a Principal, he says that "the value on student life and also taking the time out of [his] day shows how much the WKHS student body means. ... This is the sign of a dedicated leader and supporter of everything that is Kilbourne."