L’view 4th-graders fight bullying, racism

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Anyone despairing of the younger generation obviously hasn’t met Lincolnview fourth-graders Kendall Hoffman and Keira Breese.

Not only did these well-spoken youngsters and their friends create a social club, the Hamiltinies — a name based on their love for the smash Broadway hit Hamilton — but they have been an active force for good within Lincolnview Elementary School, developing an anti-bullying campaign last year and coming up with a program this year celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Their dedication to improving their school and community also had an unanticipated side benefit this week: recognition from the YWCA of Van Wert County, which honored them as “YWCA ambassadors” during a surprise event held at Lincolnview Elementary on Tuesday.

YWCA Executive Director Kimberly Laudick and YWCA Advocacy Coordinator Kelly Houg presented certificates of appreciation and celebratory balloons to the young girls in the school media center as their parents and other family members looked on.

Laudick said the girls’ efforts on behalf of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a perfect complement to the work the YWCA does to eliminate racism and empower women.

“We recognize the importance of this project as it mirrors our work and our mission at the YWCA. We truly believe that the world is changed by one person and one heart at a time,” Laudick said. “We ask Kendall, Keira, and their Hamiltinies Student Leadership Club to continue to work out of kindness and compassion so that, together, we can change minds and work toward equality for all.”

Both youngsters and their club members embody the best of their generation, while Lincolnview Elementary Principal Nita Myers said the girls are always actively seeking ways to improve their school and community.

“They have tons of ideas for bettering our community and our school and helping others,” Myers said.

It’s also obvious from talking to the young girls that they not only have intelligence, but also a passion and heart for helping others.

As third-graders concerned with bullying and its negative effects, they came up with the Bully Box program last year at Lincolnview.

“There’s a lot of bullying going on and people getting made fun of, and we just want to make people feel special,” said Kendall, daughter of Mackenzie and Travis Hoffman.

Although a bit shy at first, Kendall explained the Bully Box concept: “We have the Bully Box out front and people can write their notes in it and explain (instances of) bullying without anyone knowing. It’s kind of private.”

Keira, daughter of Michelle Hill and Brandon Breese, said the Martin Luther King Jr. program this year was just one of the annual projects the Hamiltinies’ have done with school guidance counselor Tonia Verville.

“We always do a ‘thing’ with Mrs. Verville every year,” Keira said. “Last year was the Bully Box, and we were talking to her one recess (this year) when the Martin Luther King thing came up.”

Keira also had some fun with her first name, joking that it was an exception to the “i before e” grammar rule.

Kendall, a voracious reader who enjoys reading books about important women, as well as stories about other places and people, said she would like to be either the president or a librarian when she grows up.

Reading is something very special to Kendall who said it transports her to other places and allows her to become part of what she’s reading.

“It’s like going to a different place and you’re in there, in the story,” she explained.

While the girls and their friends have already accomplished more than most of their peers, Lincolnview Local School District is likely to be the beneficiary of many more great “things” from Kendall, Keira, and the Hamiltinies in coming years.