More powerful together

VERMILION — In the wake of last week's tragedy in Las Vegas, kindness in everyday life is needed more than ever. With proper training and more members, Vermilion High School students hope to make a positive impact in their school and community.On Friday, new and returning members of the school's Move 2 Stand organization went through all-day training at the Church of the Open Door with multiple activities to prepare them for the school year. Students heard from encouraging speakers, participated in group training exercises and got to know one another. This year, 140 students showed up for the annual training, a record in the organization's four-year history. Cortney Feige, a school counselor and the club's advisor, started the group to make a difference in students' lives.During training, speakers Shane McCarty and Kyle Pacque with Actively Caring for People, a nonprofit organization, encouraged students to see acts of kindness around them and show compassion to as many people as possible.After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, which was at one point the largest massacre in United States history, the organization's members started performing acts of kindness around campus, like writing kind words with chalk on sidewalks and more.Kyle Pacque, a member of nonprofit Actively Caring for People, speaks to Vermilion High School students in the school's Move 2 Stand organization Friday during training at the Church of the Open Door."We realized we were moving from random acts of kindness to intentional acts of kindness," Pacque said.The organization also began a system of passing on green wristbands to anyone seen performing an act of kindness. All wristbands are numbered and members tracked how far the wristbands went via social media posts.To actively care, the nonprofit gave three tips:• See kindness everyday — don't be distracted with social media• Act — care about another person• Spread acts of kindness and pay it forward"You have to believe you can create change," Pacque said. "Even a smile has a power to change someone's day."Students also learned three steps they should use to prevent school shootings: Look for warning signs, act immediately and report it to a trusted adult."Using these steps has helped prevent shootings at other schools," McCarty said.During training sessions, McCarty was delighted to see students' enthusiasm. "We believe that if every student here does one caring act, the (school's) culture can change," McCarty said after his presentation. "Seeing these students energized is so motivating."In the past, Move 2 Stand has partnered with other student organizations at Vermilion High School to spread positivity, attended a "We Are the Majority" rally, an event that educates students on healthy, drug-free lifestyles and more. The group also sponsors a week dedicated to acts of kindness around school, like writing positive messages on notes and leaving them around campus.When together and broken into smaller groups on Friday, students spent time learning the difference between a bystander and an upstander in a bullying situation. For instance, a bystander sees the problem, but doesn't intervene. However, an upstander sees the situation and takes action.Some students even shared personal experiences from bullying — whether they were the victim, the bully, the defender or watching from a distance.Along with counselor Cortney Feige, Vermilion High School students in the school's Move 2 Stand organization demonstrate a bullying skit Friday during training at the Church of the Open Door.Since becoming members of the organization four years ago, seniors Kayleigh Penton and Mitchell Boice noted they have seen their school's culture change with Move 2 Stand's initiatives. And it helps that more students are getting involved."When we come together, it can be powerful," Penton said. "In groups, we heard things that were personal and all of this will help make us better for our school.""I believe kindness is contagious," she continued. "We'll have an impact in the next couple of weeks.""This group ties a lot of people together, from shy people to football players," Boice said."It's getting a lot of people together. We want to make sure (school) is a safe place."Penton gave credit to Feige for working hard to help the group grow and impact others, noting it's the fastest growing group at school. "She'll do anything to help students," she said.Feige said she's impressed with the amount of interest for the group this year. "It makes me happy," she said. "I can say this is important, but kids have to take it and make (the kindness movement) grow."The organization has 12 seniors, including some who started with Feige four years ago at lunch meetings when only a few students came."Now it has exploded," she said. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodVermilion High School students in the school's Move 2 Stand organization discuss a case study involving bullying Friday during training at the Church of the Open Door.