Looking forward While Fonzi reminds students they should always be kind regardless, their heightened awareness gives her great hope for the future. “The more this is talked about in school, they will grow up and be adults who teach their families, people they meet in college and their coworkers,” said Fonzi. “They have become such an example to other students of how to treat others.” There is a movement in Oklahoma to encourage more education and better access to mental health resources, but DeGuisti wishes adults in particular were more open minded. “People can be quick to brush [you] off and say ‘get over it,’ ‘it will pass’ or ‘just be happy,’” said DeGuisti. “That’s not how it works. People can be depressed and there’s not always a logical reason. We need more understanding, more genuine listening and trying to understand.” The duo feels the media attention they’ve received is a positive step toward educating the community about the importance of students learning about mental health.
Thanks to KOCO Channel 5’s “What’s Right with our Schools” segment, the students received $600, which will be used for a second Pawsitivity Week during spring finals. Lee and DeGuisti are proud of the legacy they’ve created and hope the club and Pawsitivity Week continue to grow. What they’ve learned and what they leave behind is very personal for the two seniors. Lee calls her home life very different than school life, and she’s grateful for teachers like Fonzi who are willing to both educate students about mental health and provide a listening ear. “Teachers willing to listen to my problems and give me the opportunity to speak up about certain things makes it easier,” said Lee, who plans to attend OU or UCO after graduation. “I’m not sure what I want to major in, but I know I’m going to change the world.” DeGuisti, headed to OSU in the fall to study mass communications, lives with her grandparents due to her mom’s substance abuse and dad’s mental health challenges. She’s learned it’s OK to be open about her experiences because it might help someone else who is struggling.
“I’ve learned to power through and find support,” said DeGuisti. “It has affected me personally, but it doesn’t define me or stop me from being successful.” Watch the video the students created at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/pcn-kindness. DEGUISTI AND LEE WITH FELLOW STUDENT KEILAN SCOTT SPORT CARDIGANS, A NOD TO MR. ROGERS, DURING PAWSITIVITY WEEK.
Changing Lives– One Dog at a Time
Thirteen-year-old Caleb White volunteers every weekend at Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. Whether it’s featuring a dog for #FreeMeFriday, taking pets to events for potential adoption, or playing ball with a furry friend for an afternoon, his passion for animal rescue is a prime example of why we’re inspired by kids like Caleb. At Kimray, our mission is to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Caleb exemplifies this by living out that mission in the service he provides to his community. And that’s The Kimray Way.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / FEBRUARY 2020 49
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