Theresa Dardanell
Two hundred and seventy-eight students at Thurmont Elementary School joined people from all over the world for the 7th Annual WorldWide Dance for Kindness. Groups in over 120 cities around the globe all perform the same dance to the same song on the same day to unite the world with kindness. This event is sponsored by Life Vest Inside, with the purpose of looking beyond ourselves to realize that we are “all citizens of the world and that kindness is the common thread that unites us all.”
Before the dance began, Principal Debra O’Donnell told the students that they do this dance to remind them, “how important it is to be kind and it starts with you.”
Students Tristan Lease, Tyler McCallion, Dary Carson, and Claire Daly enthusiastically agreed that the dance brings people together and helps to spread kindness throughout the world.
Guidance Counselor Tammy Brotman said, “Kindness starts with one kind word, one kind act, one person at a time.” She shared this story with me: “This past week, I asked my students if they knew anyone who was a champion, fully expecting them to mention famous sports players. One boy mentioned a girl in his class from last year. He said she was a champion because she wrote kind notes to everyone in his class all year long. He still has his at home in a special box. When I told her that others were saying she was a champion, her response was “I had no idea.” Sometimes we don’t know the impact that sending the message of kindness is having, but it warmed my heart to know that it’s happening and students are taking note.”
Thurmont Elementary School students perform the Kindness Dance.
Photo by Theresa Dardanell
