Greeley High students launch Kyle Cares/Active Minds chapter; plan benefit concert and 5K

Students and a school counselor told the MSAD 51 board Jan. 2 that a new Kyle Cares/Active Minds chapter at Greeley High School has grown quickly and is organizing events to promote suicide and mental health awareness.

Melissa Fowler, a school counselor at Greeley High, said the club began after students heard Jim Johnson (founder of Kyle Cares) speak at a National Honor Society conference. Fowler said Greeley is one of two Maine schools partnering with Kyle Cares and Active Minds and that the students have been "smashing the stigma" through schoolwide and community activities.

Fowler described a November 13 kickoff tied to the Green Bandana Project: 300 lime-green bandanas were ordered with a small grant; the bandanas signified a pledge to be a supportive peer. "We ran out of 300 bandanas in 2 periods," Fowler said, and the club plans to order more. She said the club has grown from five members last spring to more than 35 by December.

Student officers outlined upcoming events: Sean Allen said the club has presented at seven athletic events so far and is planning a benefit concert at the GCA on April 26 with proceeds to Kyle Cares/Active Minds. Charlie Anania and other officers described plans for a 499-person 5K run/walk on April 28, including safety coordination with police, fire and Cumberland Recreation and sponsorship outreach and grant-writing to fund police and EMT coverage.

The students said they have been invited to the Kyle Cares conference on April 4 and are coordinating community speakers for parents and students (a Minding Your Mind presentation was mentioned). Fowler and the students encouraged community support and offered contact information for volunteers and sponsors.

The board thanked students for their presentation and expressed support for the public events; students requested the board's assistance as they finalize safety plans and sponsorship outreach.