Anonymous notes increase campus comfort

LEAD crew members Devon Hayakawa and Dylan Hubka talk to math teacher David Blackwell’s class during sixth period. LEAD is directing an activity designed to make students feel more comfortable on campus.
LEAD crew members Devon Hayakawa and Dylan Hubka talk to math teacher David Blackwell’s class during sixth period. LEAD is directing an activity designed to make students feel more comfortable on campus.

By Nathan Curtis,
HUB Staff Writer–

Everyone is carrying some form of weight on his or her shoulders, whether it is an insecurity, an embarrassing truth, or a big secret. On Nov. 13, the members of the LEAD (Learn, Educate, Advocate, Demonstrate) class gave students a chance to release the burdens and feelings that were weighing them down.

During sixth period, the LEAD crew entered all the classrooms at Davis High. There, they revealed something about them that not many people know. One LEAD member admitted that they might seem shy on campus, but only because they are afraid of making a mistake. Another revealed that their only goal in life is to help people.

After passing out notes to the students, they invited the students to do the same thing, only anonymously. The notes said “Behind this smile…” and students had to fill in the blank. Most of the students took the activity very seriously and appreciated the opportunity to anonymously admit something they may be hiding.

The notes will all be posted on a wall on campus for everyone to read in about a week.
Sophomore Isabella Chiaravalloti participated in the activity and really enjoyed it.

“It’s good to know that people care. People are going to read [my note] and it actually matters to some of them,” Chiaravalloti said.

LEAD member, junior Devon Hayakawa, is in charge of the school-wide activity. She said that LEAD is doing the activity in order to make students more comfortable on campus.

“LEAD is doing the project so that the student body knows they have a voice. As students, we know that it is sometimes hard to voice our opinions and thoughts. Our LEAD class wanted to give everyone that opportunity,” Hayakawa said.

Senior Vikram Singh is also in LEAD. He agrees that the activity is designed to make students feel more comfortable on campus.

“We’re trying to get students to relate to each other. Once they read the notes, others might realize that they have the same problem as someone else. No one is alone,” Singh said.

The class began this activity last year, and around two thirds of the student body revealed something anonymously. This year they are expecting even more students to do so.

In about a week, keep your eyes peeled for the final product of the activity. In the meantime, LEAD members will continue to work hard to make DHS more comfortable for every student.

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