SACO — The middle school years can be an awkward, difficult stage in life, but students at Saco Middle School are committed to fostering a culture of kindness.

October is anti-bullying month, and Saco Middle School Guidance Counselor Janice Johnston said the school decided instead of focusing on something “anti,”, to instead promote positive behavior with a kindness assembly Friday.

The assembly was organized by the school’s Civil Rights Team affiliate group and was sparked by an idea last year from student Brendan Stephens, who is now in the eighth grade.

“School is a better place if people are kind,” he said.

Stephens said he wanted other students to know the importance of being kind to others.

“If you do something kind, it does a lot for them,” he said.

Sixth grader Alexis Lavigne said she joined the civil rights group because she wants to help make positive changes in the world, including making the school more respectful and kind.

She said she enjoys helping others and seeing the smiles on their faces.

When you are kind to people, she said, “You get kindness right back.”

Friday’s assembly was held pep rally style in the school’s gymnasium. It began with a clip of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” which set the tone of the event.

“We will rock you with kindness,” Johnston said to the students who filled the bleachers.

Saco State Rep. Justin Chenette made a presentation, telling students how when he was a shy, new student at Saco Middle School and eating lunch alone, a “random act of kindness,” when someone came over to his table and said hello, really made a difference.

In the center of the auditorium was a large rope with two teams, simulating a tug of war. On one side were students and faculty wearing signs with negative behaviors, such as “exclude others,” “dirty looks,” and “gossip,” written on them. The other side had students holding up signs promoting kindness and respect toward others.

“Do you think we have enough kindness to beat the negativity,” science teacher Melissa Gosselin asked the students.

“Yeah,” roared the crowd.

Enthusiasm was high, and after each chant, members of the negative side of the rope moved over to the kindness side, and the negative side shrank. In the end kindness won.

Faculty say they plan to do other assemblies around kindness throughout the school year, and signs are being put up in different areas of the school to promote respect and caring for others.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].