For the first time this year on Wednesday, Oct. 23, students and faculty wore orange in honor of Unity Day. The day strives to come together to empower others to be kind to their peers and to promote the message that bullying is never okay.

“Unity Day makes us aware. We are always told to be nice to each other, but having a day dedicated to it really makes us think about kindness and how we can show others around us kindness,” junior Kailynn Berger said.

Bullying is never okay, and a small act of kindness is the most easy task to accomplish. A simple smile or “hello” can make a huge difference rather than not saying anything at all.

“Life is so hard; like why be mean or make it harder on someone else? Kindness makes people feel loved and included. It’s so easy to be kind to someone and we should all strive to do that,” junior Abby Johnson said.

The day greatly impacts others in several ways. Of course bringing awareness to bullying, but also the day makes people think about their actions towards others.

“I think the day brings awareness that we are all in this together and no one is left behind,” Johnson said.

Unity Day is also pertaining to unity between others. We are all different and unique. The day is important to help us see past our differences and come together to support a good cause.

“If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all. Go out of you way to lift other people's spirits up even if you are having a bad day,” sophomore Katie Hiernaux said.

Unity Day is celebrated throughout schools everywhere and together communities come together in orange to bring about the negative impacts of bullying on others.

“The most important thing to keep in mind is that bullying is never okay. Maybe if you think something is funny it may not be to someone else and we have to be aware that words are powerful and they can hurt,” Berger said.

Instead of surrounding your thoughts and goals on the big things in life, start thinking about the small things you can do for someone to bring about change and happiness.

“It’s important because all of the little acts of kindness can really change someone's day. I know that sounds cliche but it really is true because without happiness there is no point. Kindness is a huge part of someone's life and if we didn’t have it no one would really want to try anymore,” Hiernaux said.

Be kind:)