This May, Clinton decided to celebrate mental health awareness by hosting activities for students, including a culminating, upper grades, rock paper scissors competition. This allowed students to connect with each other, relax, and be creative. Throughout the month, Clinton made sure every student spread awareness in a fun and positive way.
Before the big rock paper scissors competition, the month started with Mental Health Monday. Students were encouraged to wear green ribbons and wristbands to show their support. In a Toddle message, Clinton told students this was to “increase awareness of the importance of mental health and destigmatize help seeking”. A “Gratitude Wall” was also added to the third floor where students could leave notes and messages. Throughout the day, there were many students passing out green-wrist bands, wearing ribbons, and writing notes to add to the wall.
Later in the month, Clinton’s library invited students to take part in more activities during lunch. These included story time, coloring, and the most popular option, pin making. To make a pin, you could choose a pre-made cover or make your own. Then you would add it to a machine to press it onto a button, and after a couple seconds your pin was ready! “I really liked the pin making in the library,” shared Lavanya, a 10th grade student. “I thought it was a really nice idea and was pretty cool.”
Finally, it was time for the rock paper scissors competition, a growing tradition at Clinton. Before entering school on Friday, May 23rd, each student was given a green beaded necklace. Throughout the day they could challenge their friends to rock paper scissors competitions. The loser had to forfeit their necklace. Students were found playing in the hallways, during class, and at lunch.
Instead of attending their last period classes, everyone was told to head to the gym where they would watch the championship. But, only students who had 10 or more necklaces were allowed to participate, leaving around 20 students. With the rest of the school watching, the students played each other in pairs, until only 2 were left. By now, both players were covered in green necklaces. They played one final round of rock paper scissors determining the winner, 9th grader Nova Craemer. Lavanya loved this competition because “it was such a fun and social way to spread awareness!”
The rock paper scissors contest was a perfect way to raise awareness for mental health month. Clinton did a great job of creating activities that bring students together to build a stronger Clinton community and support them during Mental Health Awareness Month.
