Kindness paid off for four Arlington high school students who were each surprised with $1,000 scholarships while being recognized for their volunteer work on and off campus.
The City of Arlington's Community Relations Commission, which is championing the City's Kindness Initiative, presented each of the deserving students with an award Wednesday night in the City Council Chambers. These students were recommended for recognition by the Arlington Independent School District. During the ceremony, The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation presented each teen with a scholarship and also provided the Community Relations Commission with a financial gift to help further spread kindness throughout The American Dream City.
"Our aim at The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation is to support ordinary people, like you and me, who use their resources, time, talent and energy to do extraordinary things," said Rosie Brown. "You have exhibited this through your kindness to others. If you continue on this path, kindness combined with perseverance and hard work will take you to amazing heights in life and give you an even greater platform from which to serve and help others."
One of the recipients was Hannah Farris, an Arlington High School senior involved in youth preparedness councils at the regional, state and national level. Farris, who has faced and overcome many health challenges in her life, plans to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Texas at Arlington.
"When you see things happening in your community, you want to make a difference. Especially when you've been given so much to make that difference," Farris said. "I've been given great opportunities, such as with the surgeries I've had, and I hope to go out there and change somebody's life."
Noah Puente, a Bowie High School senior whose activities include helping with Mission Arlington and the Special Olympics, said volunteering brings the community together.
"The most important thing to me when it comes to volunteering and showing kindness is that I'm showing somebody that I care," Puente said.
Included in the program were Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Michael Glaspie and Dr. Aaron Perales, director of Parent and Community Engagement for the Arlington ISD. Both honored the students, promoted the kindness message and lauded the partnerships developing around the Community Relations Commission.
At the end of the ceremony, the Community Relations Commission presented The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation with Kindness Zone signs in recognition of the foundation's role as a Kindness Ambassador.
Scholarship and kindness award recipients
- Hannah Farris, Arlington High School
- Cassidy Moore, Martin High School
- Noah Puente, Bowie High School
- Amanpreet Kaur, Arlington Collegiate High School
The Community Relations Commission has been working to promote acts of kindness among our residents, visitors and business community since Mayor Jeff Williams announced the Kindness Initiative last year. People are encouraged to report acts of kindness that they perform, witness or were the recipient of through the City's Ask Arlington mobile app, on the Acts of Kindness website, or by posting on social media using #ArlingtonKindness and @CityofArlington.
Click here to read more about Acts of Kindness occurring throughout The American Dream City.
The Community Relations Commission is seeking local businesses to provide rewards that can be used to recognize youth for their acts of kindness. Those who are interested in becoming a sponsor can email the commission at [email protected].
Office of Communication intern Ariana Delgado contributed to this report.
Acts of Kindness, Community Relations Commission, Kindness Initiative
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