This month Keller Wildcats were presented with an opportunity to enjoy an exciting afternoon of fun and games. The “Pay It Forward” assembly was in fact a reward for the excellent progress students have made in the Kindness Movement and the amount of orange arrows around the school only proves this further! This exciting assembly was planned by our school's very own Keller Ambassadors, as well as members of the Interact Club. The entire Keller community took part in the event, as it was streamed live to students' families.

The atmosphere pre-assembly was in one word, electric. The stands were packed to the brim as Wildcat students and staff enjoyed live music courtesy of the Keller Band. Certain favorites would spark loud chants from the stands, and it was clear that the students were already in a cheerful mood. Eventually, Mr. Barbini would take the mic and deliver a short welcoming speech, followed by the reciting of the Stand for the Silent (SFTS) pledge. An inspirational kindness video was shown shortly after and received great approval from the crowd.

To the surprise of many, our on-stage performers mentioned some of the conscious acts of kindness completed by Keller students in the past few weeks. The laid-back, yet fun-filled assembly continued with another video, which included certain pictures of students completing good deeds for one another.

The assembly was a first in many ways. Not only was it the first “Pay It Forward" assembly Keller has ever hosted, it also marked the first-ever united performance of the Keller Poms and Keller Cheer squads. Their splendid performance drew an uproar from the stands, as they included stunning techniques and phenomenal movements. All dancers wore orange hair ties to show their support for the Kindness Movement. The teams walked off-stage to a vigorous applause.

The videos kept coming, this time showing hundreds of students taking part in a human created “roller-coaster” as they conducted hand movements in near-perfect unison. The student performers requested that the crowd take part in a duplication of the “roller-coaster.” The crowd agreed with a welcoming approach.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the assembly was the so-called “shirt-shooting” which was conducted by Mr. Iott, Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Aguilar. Using a massive slingshot, they shot shirts with orange arrows on them into the stands. Even though it may seem impossible, the crowds' roar was even louder now than it had been before. Shirts would find their way into the highest rows of the bleachers and one even get stuck in the basketball hoop for a few seconds before falling into the arms of an ecstatic student.

As the assembly winded down, Mr. Barbini addressed the Keller community once more; “Each and every one of you can go out there and make an influence. I’m so proud of you all.” On this positive-minded note, the assembly ended. As the students filed out of the gym, it was clear that they were proud of themselves as well, and there is no doubt that they truly did go out there and make a difference.

At the conclusion of the assembly, Stellar Keller news reporters talked to three of the student performers. They were all asked the same question: What kind of an impact do you feel that the Kindness Movement and the assembly had on the Keller community? Joshua M. stated that “The orange arrows in particular inspired students to do good deeds.” Meanwhile, Victor D. told us that “[The assembly] shows people that they can spread positivity throughout the school while still having fun and enjoying themselves.” Raahi M. also contributed to the discussion, claiming that the assembly “motivated students to do an act of kindness, and that they can do it anywhere and in any situation.” We hope that you feel the same way and that the Kindness Movement will not seize to flourish from this moment on.

Keep working hard and help make kindness a norm!

By: Kolin L.