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HERSHEY, NE — A culture of kindness continues to grow at Hershey Public Schools, thanks to the efforts of students in Mrs. Allan’s classroom and their student-led Kindness Club.
The club, led by student president Jerome, was inspired by a guest speaker who visited the school two years ago and shared a powerful message about the importance of kindness. That message stuck—and from it, the Kindness Club was born with a mission to spread positivity throughout the school and community.
Many students and staff may already recognize the club from its schoolwide recycling initiative launched last year. This year, the group has expanded its efforts with several creative and meaningful projects designed to make a difference both inside and outside the school.
Earlier this year, Kindness Club members showed their appreciation for local veterans by creating red, white, and blue bracelets and writing heartfelt cards for those who attended the school’s Veterans Day Program. During the holiday season, students extended their kindness to the community by decorating Christmas placemats for residents at a local nursing home—spreading cheer and connection during a special time of year.
In February, the club placed handmade bookmarks inside library books. Each bookmark included a special note inviting students to take an Accelerated Reader (AR) test after finishing the book and then visit Mrs. Allan for a small treat. The project not only encouraged reading but also added an element of surprise and joy for students across the school.
March has brought even more excitement with the club’s “Lucky Duck Project.” A colorful hallway display featuring a duck pond showcases student reflections on why they feel lucky to be part of Hershey Public Schools. In addition, small paper ducks are being hidden throughout classrooms and hallways. Students who find a duck are invited to write one reason they feel lucky to be a Panther. These entries will be collected for a drawing, where 20 students will win a St. Patrick’s Day rubber duck.
Looking ahead, the Kindness Club hopes to wrap up the school year with a community service project supporting local animal shelters. More details will be shared soon, and the group encourages everyone to get involved.
Through each of these efforts, the Kindness Club is making a meaningful impact—reminding everyone that simple acts, like a smile, a helping hand, or a kind word, can make a big difference.