HOISINGTON — A group of business students at Hoisington High School are going all out on the Zero Reasons Why suicide prevention campaign.
Earlier this year, HHS instructor Jennifer Steinert became inspired with the ZRW campaign. She took the idea to her Future Business Leaders of America group, who were immediately drawn to the teen-led campaign focus and message to the halls and game fields of HHS and at Hoisington Middle School.
In the spirit of FBLA, the Hoisington teens also have made efforts to plant ZRW seed messages in neighboring school districts and helping them grow.
Meanwhile, at home, Steinert’s students are planning a “Yellow Out” event at Hoisington’s home basketball game with Beloit on Jan. 7.
“The students are very passionate about the cause and have already made a large impact on the students at HHS,” Steinert said.
At the event, Steinert hopes to have the Cardinal basketball teams, cheerleaders and danceline outfitted with yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the ZRW hashtag in support of the ongoing campaign at HHS. She is seeking donations from individuals, organizations or businesses to help absorb the cost, estimated between $600-$700, with a deadline of Dec. 17. Donors would be recognized with their name on the backs of the T-shirts and on signage at the game on Jan. 7.
“Any amount of donation you would be willing to make would be very much appreciated,” Steinert said. Steinert noted that if donations exceeded the cost of the shirts, the money would be used for future events promoting Zero Reasons Why in Hoisington.
“This is a great opportunity for the school district and community to unite and make a difference,” Steinert said.
Donations may be dropped off at the HHS office or mailed to Steinert’s attention at Hoisington High School, 218 E. Seventh St., Hoisington KS 67544. Make checks payable to HHS FBLA.
About ZRW
Zero Reasons Why was initiated in 2018 by the six school district superintendents in Johnson County (Blue Valley, De Soto, Gardner Edgerton, Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Spring Hill) as a community mobilization campaign to prevent teen suicide. The teen-led campaign is designed to bring together student ambassadors, parent volunteers, teacher advocates, mental health experts and non-profit leaders to organize student-led initiatives, rallies, programs and collaborative advertising promotion.
In ZRW’s second year, the county’s mental health center spearheaded expanding the project through the Kansas City Metro area and beyond. ZRW’s Teen Council unveiled a comprehensive plan outlined in the Zero Reasons Why Playbook, a robust 100-page publication that guides readers through the campaign’s origins, processes and instructions on how to launch a campaign in the community.
