Perhaps you have noticed the bowls of paper-filled capsules that have just recently cropped up all over campus.  Perhaps you attended the event to help create those little plastic capsules.  Perhaps you are in need of some kind words from your ACC community.

This week was Mental Health Week here at ACC; in recognition of that, ACC’s Student Government decided to put together and host a Notes of Kindness event on Thursday, March 9th.

Tables were set up in the main lounge where faculty and students could write out any kind words they wanted on a strip of paper, which was then stuffed into bright plastic capsules to be handed out throughout the day, and the rest of the semester.

Notes of Kindness was the brainchild of Student Government President Tasha Estein, who said it was inspired by a similar event held by local students at Pueblo Community College.  According to Estein and other Student Government members, the idea for the event has been around for a few semesters, but was only able to see itself into fruition this semester. The date was planted perfectly during Mental Health Week.

“I’m super passionate about it — I’m the person who said ‘we had to do it,'” noted Estein, who helped run the table alongside most of the Student Government body.  Treasurer Nate Bertz, Secretary Ashley Anaya, and ASAC Vice Chair and Student Representative Leah Porter joined President Estein in creating both the event and the notes themselves.

The goal of the project was to create hundreds of capsules to be distributed throughout the ACC Littleton main campus building via randomly displayed bowls in high-traffic areas.  As this goal requires loads of man (or hand) power, StuGov decided it would be best to open the project to the public, so to speak.  Much to StuGov’s surprise, the turnout was higher than anticipated.

“It was way more than expected,” said Bertz, who himself wrote Katy Perry lyrics for inspiration in some of the capsules.

According to Bertz, quite a few faculty members came to write out their support.  But many departments were also tapped by StuGov to write out notes, in which almost all responded in kind.

Some students came to the event already impassioned — ready to extend as much kindness as they could through their small notes.  Some students, noticed Bertz, stuck around for 20+ minutes to write out several notes.

Others, according to Estein, struggled to find the words to write.  “It’s interesting to see how difficult it can be for some people to come up with kind things to say, [that some] passed up writing something down.” she said.

One student, though, more than made up for everybody else.  As Estein witnessed, it was one student who alone wrote over 15 notes. Unfortunately, that student wandered away before the Pinnacle could reach out for comment.

And of course, the StuGov members couldn’t help but take a few words of kindness for themselves, because, as Secretary Ashley Anaya said, everyone needs a little help, a little kindness in their day.  What did the capsule Anaya chose to hold onto contain?  A note reading: “There is someone who will watch The Princess Bride with you.”

“Even though I’ve already seen The Princess Bride, I’m keeping this one,” she said, “because it makes me laugh and reminds me to laugh more often.”

The project extended all the way to the top with President Doyle, who, at the suggestion of Anaya, was given a capsule with a note that read: “‘Well I think you’re attractive’ – Ryan Gosling.”  Sources report that President Doyle was quite pleased with her note.

This is not the only project attempting to spread more positivity at the ACC Littleton campus, as the library’s Positivity Pole has been up since early in the fall 2016 semester.

Keep an eye out for the baskets of colorful little capsules made to brighten up your day.  Feel free to take one for yourself, or to give one to a friend or peer who might need a little community pick-me-up.

All photos credited to Scott Bright