Kindness Project shows great potential at VMSS

Image by Gillian Vogt

Image by Gillian Vogt

Kieran Kowalski, Staff Writer
March 23, 2018

By now, everyone has probably heard about the tragedy that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. It’s only March, and yet there have been at least 18 school shootings in the U.S. this year alone. Humanity needs a change, and lovable 7th grader Gillian Vogt declares that the help and support of students is critical for change.

Gillian is an incredibly quirky and interesting student with lots of strengths and very strong opinions. Many would consider her friendship to be a pleasure. She had felt deeply upset over the recent shooting.

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This overwhelmingly tragic event could have been avoided. We need to end this.

— Gillian Vogt

Fortunately, she didn’t personally know anybody in the shooting and wasn’t directly affected by the shooting, but it had strongly impacted her. She had sympathized with the families and students that were involved. Gillian had the idea to help our school be a safer place with a club called the Kindness Project. The members of the club would create posters against gun violence, teach students how they could help a bullied kid, put up positive posters around the school, and other small or large acts of kindness.

The goal of this club is to make Valley Middle and its students safer. So far, there are 14 people that have confirmed joining, and more people that have shown interest. On Thursday, March 1st, the club had their first group meeting with Mr. McKeag. He shows great interest in this club, as well as other staff members they’ve talked to.