This year, Branson’s junior and senior classes are engaging in a heartfelt initiative aimed at embedding kindness into the school’s culture. The project, created by class deans Maura Vaughn and Gisella Petrone, has sparked a wave of thoughtful actions throughout Branson.
The initiative was inspired by Vaughn and Petrone’s participation in August in The Greater Good Institute conference, which explored the science of happiness. Their goal had two parts: first, to promote kindness and encourage more intentional and thoughtful acts of goodwill, and second, to find ways to highlight and sustain these acts within the Branson community.
“I’m sure in the juniors’ and seniors’ conversations with their advisories they were shocked at the amount of kindness that actually takes place in our community,” Vaughn said. “The hope is that this project will help to highlight that and help it become ingrained in our community.”
Each advisory in both the junior and senior classes was tasked with designing and executing their own kindness initiative. These projects, ranging from simple daily gestures to schoolwide engagement efforts, showcase the students’ commitment to fostering a positive environment.
For instance, history teacher Ashton Richards’s advisory noticed that while some Branson students occasionally hold doors open for others, the habit wasn’t as widespread as they hoped. Their project focuses on encouraging this simple yet impactful gesture, making it a more ingrained part of daily interactions.
“Our advisory began by identifying small acts of kindness we all valued. By intentionally turning it into a habit, we’re demonstrating how small, consistent actions can positively shape our school’s culture,” said Charlotte Houser ‘26.
Beyond promoting kindness, the initiative also acknowledges the mental health challenges that many teens face, including anxiety and depression.
“By finding ways to uplift one another, we can help students explore and see the connection between true happiness and kindness,” Petrone said.
Petrone emphasized the importance of seeing the full picture when interacting with others.
“Most people automatically make assumptions about others, assuming they aren’t kind,” she explained. “But it’s important to recognize that we don’t know the entire story behind someone’s behavior.” This perspective encourages students to approach each other with empathy and understanding.”
While many advisories focus on direct acts of kindness, two senior advisories (Spanish teacher Arturo Acevedo’s and math teacher Dave Reiter’s) took a different approach by fostering connections across different grade levels. These groups are organizing occasional joint advisory sessions, allowing students to interact with peers they might not otherwise. This effort helps bridge the gap between grades, fosters leadership and creates a buddy system to ensure underclassmen feel supported within the Branson community.
One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is the sheer variety of projects in motion. History teacher and Blazer adviser Julie Kuo’s advisory, in collaboration with Gretchen Koles’ advisory, is spreading positivity by placing hand-painted affirmation rocks around campus, while dance teacher Alex Escalante’s advisory is filling the Commons with positive affirmations.
“The variety and diversity of each advisory’s projects show how simple acts of kindness are already a part of daily life at Branson. This initiative just makes them more visible and meaningful,” said James Stovell ‘25, a student in Kuo’s advisory. “It’s important for us to recognize the power of small gestures and how, together, they contribute to a lasting, positive impact on our community.”
Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, Petrone recalled the theme of the Class of 2025’s first-year orientation: kindness.
“My wish is that you as seniors take this on, leaving with this example of doing something for the school,” she said. “Your legacy becomes that — not what we do as deans or advisors, but something you guys embedded in our culture.”
What makes this project particularly meaningful is that it is student-driven. Rather than being directed by faculty, students themselves are shaping the movement, which fosters a stronger sense of investment and ownership.
While the initiative is starting small, the hope is that it will continue to grow.
“We are just beginning,” Petrone said, “but our wish is for it to open doors, to do something bigger.”
With the support of the administration, Branson students are proving that kindness isn’t just an idea — it starts with the small actions and has a ripple effect, evolving into something more.
