Last Friday, February 7th, Palisade High School had our annual “Kindness Is Contagious” assembly, to introduce and begin District 51’s KIC week. This year, our student body and faculty received an incredibly powerful and heavy message.
Guest speaker Kirk Smalley came to speak to our students about the importance of kindness and preventing bullying. Smalley and his wife Laura shared their story of their little boy Ty, who they lost to suicide when he was only 11 years old, due to repeated bullying.
Smalley then dedicated his life to preventing this loss from happening ever again, and was involved in the creation of the organization Stand For The Silent. The non-profit started in Oklahoma City, OK in 2010 after a group of high school students heard the story of Kirk and Laura. Smalley has traveled to over 6,025 schools and has spoken with over 4.15 million students to spread awareness.
Smalley came to Palisade to touch the hearts and minds of our students and encourage them to help make a change. He encouraged students to remind themselves “I am somebody,” the slogan of the organization. He also taught students their universal hand sign, the American Sign Language signal for “I love you” to help support the people around us. He reminded students that we all have the power to change the lives of others by showing kindness and respect to each and every one person.
Smalley explained to me, “I want kids to believe in themselves and believe in each other. That would be my main goal. Teaching them that they truly are somebody.” Smalley then showed me a folder in his email account labeled “Suicide Messages.” He explained, “I get messages from kids literally by the thousands saying ‘you saved my life’…knowing that I can have that kind of impact and save a baby from doing what my kid did is really special.”
Smalley and his wife have touched the hearts of so many people that they were able to meet privately with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in the White house prior to attending the first ever White House conference on bullying. Hit pop-artist Lady Gaga also reached out to the Smalleys, asking how she could support their efforts.
Smalley explained to the students that anyone here at Palisade could start their own chapter to help continue to spread awareness. His story had so much impact on our student body that this chapter was started within the same week.
Junior Hailey Shackelford spoke with Principal Daniel Bollinger about starting the club here, and applied on standforthesilent.org with a letter of intent and a request. It was approved, and the first ever meeting was held the following Tuesday, February 11th.
“I have seen all three KIC assemblies, and I think that this one had the most impact on the most students and faculty.” Shackelford explained to me. “Seeing all these people from different backgrounds and friend groups unite over one thing and one story was very powerful and it really inspired me to start a chapter.”
Thank you so much to Smalley, for not only sharing his story with our school, but touching the hearts and lives of all of our students and staff. His message will live on in our hearts forever.
