In a world that can often feel chaotic and unkind, a group of students at Centralia High School is proving that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Through ARK—a student-led club dedicated to spreading positivity—these students are creating a culture where encouragement, generosity, and compassion aren’t just ideals but daily practices.

The club’s origins go back to 2019, when CHS student Natalie Aarons (Class of 2020) discovered a national kindness movement online and believed it could make a meaningful impact at her school. With the support of CHS English teachers Tina Miller and Celia Cooley, Natalie turned her vision into reality. What started as a simple idea quickly became a permanent fixture at CHS, growing each year with new members and creative projects.

“ARK was created to spread kindness throughout our school, faculty, and community,” Cooley explained. “It started small, but it has become an important part of our school’s culture.”

Now in its sixth year, ARK continues to thrive, thanks to students who believe in the power of kindness to transform lives.

Kindness in Action: More Than Just Words

What does kindness look like in practice? For ARK, it takes many forms—sometimes as simple as a sticky note with an encouraging message.

“We write positive messages and stick them on lockers,” Zach Detering, a CHS senior, explained. “It’s a small act, but it can make someone’s whole day better. It reminds them that they’re seen and valued.”

For junior Sabrena Johnson, those little gestures have a lasting impact.

“I actually keep a lot of those sticky notes,” she said. “They’re in my binder, in my locker. They don’t just get thrown away. They stick with you.”

Beyond sticky notes, ARK has launched a variety of student-led projects to bring encouragement to CHS. Some of their most memorable initiatives include:

World Kindness Day – Students hand out kindness stickers and small treats.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts – Handwritten notes, small bags of Tootsie Rolls, and tokens of gratitude are given to CHS faculty.

Valentine’s Day Encouragement – Heart-shaped notes and pencils with uplifting messages are distributed schoolwide.

Pre-Test Motivation – Before major exams, ARK members provide students with mints, pencils, and encouragement cards to help ease anxiety.

Community Giving – During the holiday season, ARK adopts local families in need, purchasing gifts and essentials to brighten their celebrations.

The projects are driven entirely by students. ARK advisors, Miller and Cooley, take a hands-off approach, ensuring the club remains student-led.

“They bring the ideas, we just help them bring them to life,” Miller said. “We want this to be something they own.”

Why Kindness Matters

For many ARK members, the club isn’t just about helping others—it’s also helped them develop confidence and a greater awareness of the power of simple acts.

Senior Lyra Shook has experienced firsthand how much a kind word can mean.

“There have been days where I wasn’t doing great, and then someone took a moment to smile at me or say something kind,” she said. “It reminds you that you’re valued. And if it makes me feel that way, I know it can do the same for someone else.”

Fellow ARK member Harmony Barnes agrees.

“It’s easier to love someone than to hate them,” she said. “High school can be tough. But this club gives us a chance to be the light for someone else.”

One of the unique aspects of ARK is how it encourages students to express their kindness out loud. Many people think kind thoughts but never share them—out of shyness, fear, or simply because they don’t realize how much it matters.

“Sometimes we’re afraid to say something kind because we don’t know how the other person will take it,” Harmony noted. “But when someone gives you a compliment, it makes you want to do the same for others.”

Miller believes this kind of pay-it-forward mentality is what makes ARK so effective.

“There’s something catalytic about kindness,” she said. “It’s contagious. When someone experiences it, they’re more likely to pass it on.”

A Club for Everyone

Unlike some school organizations that have academic or extracurricular requirements, ARK is open to all students—no membership fees, no application process, just a desire to make a difference.

“We have a list of about 62 students who are involved at some level,” Cooley said. “Not everyone comes to every meeting, but that’s okay. Students can be as involved as they want to be.”

That accessibility was part of Natalie Aarons’ original vision. She wanted ARK to be a place where any student—regardless of background, interests, or social circle—could find a place to belong.

“ARK is different because it brings together all kinds of students,” Zach said. “It doesn’t matter what grade you’re in, what clubs you’re part of—it’s just about being kind.”

That inclusivity is what makes ARK so special. It’s not about titles, officers, or competition. It’s about students stepping up to make CHS a better place—one kind act at a time.

Leaving a Legacy of Kindness

As seniors like Zach and Lyra prepare to graduate, they hope the work they’ve done through ARK will continue long after they’ve moved on.

“I love that ARK is student-led, because it means it will keep evolving with the students,” Zach said. “It’s not just a club—it’s a culture.”

For younger students like Harmony and Sabrena, the goal is to keep ARK growing and find new ways to spread kindness in the years to come.

“We can all be the reason someone has a better day,” Sabrena said. “That’s why ARK matters.”

As CHS students continue their journey beyond high school, they’ll take with them a lesson that can’t be found in textbooks: Kindness isn’t temporary. It’s lasting. It’s powerful. And it has the ability to change the world.