On its second day back in session, Morristown Central School got students thinking about empathy, compassion, and teamwork, launching a yearlong partnership with Sweethearts & Heroes. The youth leadership team aims to prevent hopelessness, bullying, and suicide by leading presentations and hosting workshops that show students the importance of their actions.
Visiting MCS with the Sweethearts & Heroes team was Director and Founder Tom Murphy; Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker who was burned severely while serving in Iraq; BRAVE and Circle Specialist, Pat Fish; and Josiah McKeon. The strongest message sent in this first day of sessions was that students should always H.O.P.E. (Hold On, Possibilities Exist). Even the smallest act of kindness can have a major impact on someone’s day.
Yarosh shared his inspiring story of survival, admitting to students that he didn’t feel a lot of hope after months spent recovering in the hospital. What turned his mindset around was one small interaction with a child at a restaurant, who was hesitant to approach him, but encouraged by her grandfather to say hello. When she returned to her table, he expected to hear a comment about his appearance, but instead, all she said was, “he was nice.” This seemingly small interaction changed his mindset and gave him hope for the future.
Also throughout the day, Murphy and Fish led bullying drills, showing students that stopping a mean or scary interaction between two students can be as easy as pulling the affected student away from the situation. Younger students also participated in story time with Yarosh, who read to them his recently published book, “A Bridge Called Amos,” written about his hero and service dog Amos, who died last October.
Throughout the year, Sweethearts & Heroes will return to MCS to continue their work teaching students to overcome challenges, celebrate differences, and embrace empathy.