Students at Gretna East might find a reason to smile next week as the Hope Squad launches the very first Hope Week. Similar to a traditional spirit week, each day will have an activity and theme to get students involved, all centered around mental health awareness.
“Hope Week highlights themes of mental health awareness and brings the school community together for a new spin on school spirit, with wellness at the forefront,” Hope Squad sponsor Kristine Meier said.
Hope Week is a nationwide event that many Hope Squads host for their student body. While typically Hope Squads hold the event around Valentine’s Day, the GEHS Hope Squad opted to hold it next week because of other events they planned for Valentine’s.
“It’s a week just to spread joy, spread hope to the communities,” Hope Squad member, junior Natalie Krazz said.
Each day’s theme and activity carries a deeper message, like mismatch day, which encourages individuality, or twin day, showing support and connection. All these ideas relate to the Hope Squad’s mission: changing the stigma behind mental health.
“Each day was selected to bring students together and spread hope and kindness to our school community,” Meier said.
Besides dressing up, the Hope Squad will have different activities for everyone to get involved in, from writing positive notes to creating a “Messages of Hope” chain during lunches.
Members of Hope Squad are looking forward to hosting Hope Week and seeing everyone get involved.
“I think it’s just going to be fun knowing that I had a part in Hope Week,” Hope Squad member, junior Adelaide Brosh said. “I always loved doing spirit week because everyone gets excited about it.”
