SVF Kindness Challenge
To celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17, the SVF asked staff to nominate students who are spreading kindness throughout Seneca Valley schools. We were blown away by the incredibly kind nominations we received! The stories of students helping each other, sharing smiles and exuding #SVKindness is heart-warming and inspirational.
Through “random” drawing of all nominees, we are excited to announce the winner of this year’s SVF Kindness Challenge is Aiden Breitmaier! (Pictured below) Aiden showed #SVKindness by helping his peers through challenging lessons and material (without being asked to do so) and is described by nominators, Mr. Erik Carlberg and Ms. Andrea Platt, as being “very kind and polite and helpful to his classmates.” Aiden will receive $500 to use for classroom enhancements like new books, supplies and learning tools, or he will have the option to donate these funds to the SV club/sport of his choice. Congratulations, Aiden!
Read all of the kind nominations here:
Thank you Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (Cranberry) and Fun Fore All for donating gifts for each of our nominees!
Past Kindness Challenge Winners
2021-22 School Year - Six (6) Seniors Helped No Cost to Shop Store
While all Kindness Challenge nominees are winners to us, meet the six seniors who won the Seneca Valley Foundation’s Kindness Challenge: Olivia Beaudoin, Caroline Zulick, Greg Young, Grace Abbott, Tomas Murra and Tanner Huckestein. These students were nominated by their economics teacher, Ms. Rebekah Grinnen, for the kindness they showed in volunteering their time outside of school to launder seventy-five (75) (!!) loads of clothing to help the No Cost to Shop Store in the Senior High School get stocked up for shoppers. They also worked tirelessly to perfect a logo for the store. These selfless, random acts of kindness will make an impact on many and will encourage others to continue spreading #SVKindness. These students received prize packages, as well as $1,500 (thanks to matching partners Eckles Construction and Armstrong) for the club, sport or project of their choosing.
Pictured left to right: Caroline Zulick, Grace Abbott, Greg Young and Tomas Murra. Missing from photo is Olivia Beaudoin and Tanner Huckestein.
Second-place winners in Ms. Watkins' class at CVE will also receive prizes for showing kindness to Passavant Community Home by creating placemats for residents – hoping to bring joy and smiles to the elderly.
2020-21 School Year - Drake Smith, Grade 3, Evans City Elementary School
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop.
One third grader at Evans City Elementary learned how much his small act of kindness impacted not only his class, but the entire District.
Drake Smith was selected as the Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF) Kindness Challenge winner in 2020.
Drake was selected for donating 25 of his prized pumpkins (that he grew himself!) to his fellow classmates to ensure they all got a pumpkin this fall season. Read more here: www.svsd.net/Pumpkin.
Mr. Smith won $500 to be used in his classroom as well as an SV swag bag and gifts from Rhoads Orthodontics and Fun Fore All. Congratulations, Drake!
Past Kindness Committee Members
(Pictured below from left to right, top to bottom: John Pappas, Eckles Construction; Annie Mersing, SVF Development Director; Heather Lewis, Athletics Director; Tammy Limmer, School Counselor; Seth Prentice, Armstrong; Mike Ozdinec, SVF Trustee; Lisa Mislan, SVF Secretary; Ron Butschle, Dean of Students (SHS) and Head Football Coach; Dr. Greg Sencak, Orthodonist; DeeAnn Graham, CVE Principal)
