On Wednesday, December 11th, The Students Against Destructive Decisions sponsored their annual SADD Makes You Happy Day, where SAAD club members distributed small affirmations and gifts to the students and staff at South Windsor High School.
“Each December, we choose one day to bring positivity into our school so that we can express gratitude,” SWHS Transition Coordinator, and advisor of the SADD club, Liz Rafalowksy told The Prowl.
Although the overarching intention of this day is to spread joy to students and staff, it was originally created many years ago in honor of the Sandy Hook Community who experienced a traumatic school shooting on December 14, 2012.
In light of this tragic loss, SWHS strives to spread small acts of kindness and gratitude throughout the student body.
SWHS Guidance Counselor, Daniel Peters, helps run this event each year and enjoys the happy spirit that is spread throughout the school. He emphasized the importance of kindness, commenting on the impact it makes, even if it is just one small act.
“SADD Makes You Happy is a fun day. It reminds me that small gestures and acts of kindness make a huge difference,” Peter said.
In preparation for the event, students created small goodie bags for teachers to enjoy as they entered the building, and handed out candy canes to students throughout the day. In addition, members of the club pasted positive messages throughout the school, to remind students that they are loved and cared for.
“We do a lot to prepare for this day by giving out gift bags for the staff and writing encouraging notes to place around the school,” SADD club member, Jane Carty, commented when asked what her role in the preparations were.
The SADD club successfully turned the sadness around Sandy Hook into an opportunity for students and teachers to show their gratitude towards the safety we have today, and continue to recognize the impact kindness has.
“We hope that students and staff will take a moment to pay the kindness they have experienced today forward,” Rafalowksy commented.
