Unity focus of Timberlake assembly

SPIRIT LAKE — Their classmates' voices of loneliness and hurt told Timberlake High School students that they must set aside their cellphones long enough to at least smile to teens who appear to be in need of a lift.

Students led an indoor assembly Wednesday morning focusing on friendship and unity after the string of shootings that have rocked the country.

Rather than re-igniting political hot potatoes such as arming school staff and gun laws or walking out of the school to create awareness, students discussed what can be done with the classmate who is eating lunch alone or is visibly upset. They also issued challenges to spread kindness.

Timberlake senior and student body president Rachel Peterson said she's pleased her school took that approach.

"We want to be able to do something before something bad happens and not after," she said. "Our big thing is creating unity within the school to make sure all of the students and faculty are comfortable. We're a family and we're going to go through this as a family."

When the shooting occurred at Freeman High last year, Peterson said, she encouraged classmates to wear blue to match that school's main color and about half of the students responded.

Peterson said she cried after last month's shooting in Florida and went to her dad, wondering why it happened.

Peterson asked classmates to offer 17 gestures of kindness to those around them on Wednesday in remembrance of the number of victims in the Florida shooting. Students and staff also had the opportunity to send candy-grams and words of kindness to others at school.

Students shared personal stories of emotional challenges they're facing and those drew applause of support from their classmates.

Senior Samuel Dzuris encouraged classmates to never underestimate the power of smiling to others.

"The little act of smiling makes a big difference," he said. "You may never know the power of a single smile."

Senior Taylor Riley said school staff shouldn't be called upon to be the lone "caretakers" at school when students need support. The student body, he said, also has a role.

"Teachers can only do so much, so we need all of you to showcase your talents," he said.

Junior Travis Plunkett spoke about how he regrets missing an opportunity to comfort a girl who was obviously hurting. An excuse he said he had not to reach out to her was thinking she shouldn't be bothered.

When he had a change of heart and returned, she was gone and left messages on paper stating nobody cares about her.

"If you see someone with pain in their eyes, chances are they are having a hard time," Plunkett said. "Meet and greet those people."

Members of Spirit Lake Police and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office were present for the assembly.

Principal Ryne Eberlin said he was impressed with how students encouraged each other to take care of their classmates.

"Our students wanted to put this together to make sure we're all united and looking out for each other," he said.