Jackson County Hope Squad students putting smiles on peers’ faces

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - Hope Squad is exactly what it sounds like: A group of students bringing hope into schools.

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The goal is to de-stigmatize mental health and to provide support through students.

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With this being the first year for the program, Hope Squad members at Ocean Springs Middle School are busy spreading positivity and acknowledgment.

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Ocean Springs Middle School Hope Squad member Cooper Niles says, “Spreading kindness can help make people more positive and they’ll be kinder to other people and kindness just spreads around the school pretty quickly.”

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Once school began, these Hope Squad members hand-delivered hope grams to students and teachers.

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These hope grams have a message written by someone these students and teachers helped, creating hope in them.

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Ocean Springs Middle School Hope Squad member Addyson Lowery says, “It’s just something that a student or another teacher has made other students feel, how they have helped them or encouraged them to do something.”

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The same message is happening at St. Martin High School.

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There, the Hope Squad members are preparing for their first project out in the school.

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For some, this mission holds special meaning.

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St. Martin High School Hope Squad member Vicky Vo says, “I want to advocate for those who are struggling because in the past I have struggled with mental health and I know how hard it is to get out of that tough spot.”

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Hope Squad advisors say you never know who you could impact with one small act of kindness.

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Who knows? You may even bring hope.

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