Manhattan High School Spreads Anniversary Kindness Via Social Media

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In the past, when teenagers performed acts of kindness, they would often go unnoticed. If the good news did spread, it would be by word of mouth or, if it were a large enough act, perhaps the local paper would pick it up.

Sometimes, though, the smallest acts can add up to a big impact. That’s the belief of St. Jean Baptiste High School, and that’s one way the Manhattan school is celebrating its 85th anniversary—each homeroom is performing 85 acts of kindness.

“I thought it was clever,” said Natasha Driver, a senior and president of the National Honor Society.

Every time an act of kindness is done, a picture of the activity is posted to Instagram with the hashtag #85KindActs.

So far, Natasha has been involved in fund-raising to benefit UNICEF, Wounded Warriors and Toys for Tots. She’s also delivered her kind acts personally by assisting a classmate with her college application.

“It makes me feel accomplished,” she said. “This is something that people should be doing. It’s just how life should be.”

Sister Maria Cassano, C.N.D., the school principal, explained: “We’re encouraging students to perform a positive act that benefits the health, well-being, education, spirit or happiness of someone else.”

D’Eja Jenkins, another senior, hopes that others in the community will get involved. She told CNY, “We do kind acts every day, a small kind act that anybody does can contribute to what we are doing now.”

Her classmate, Annie Garcia, said, “I work as a Sunday school teacher,” and the #85KindActs project, “helps me practice what I preach.” She said that it puts into perspective all the teachings she has learned about Jesus and how she should practice her faith.

The acts of kindness are changing her for the better. “Any time an elderly person is on the bus, I try to give my seat to them,” she said.

“It’s great to see how even the small kind acts bring a smile to a person’s face.”