To recognize youth who are spreading kindness throughout The American Dream City, Arlington's Community Relations Commission has partnered with local businesses and launched a program that rewards students for their kind hearts.

During a pep rally on Friday, Sept. 13 at Adams Elementary School in Arlington, the Commission surprised 3rd grader Jacob Sides and 6th grader Emily Makanjuola with a pair of premium Rangers tickets each.

The Community Relations Commission has also purchased Kindness Zone signs to be placed in all Arlington ISD schools, including Adams Elementary.

The school, led by Principal Lesley Rhodes, has been participating in various acts of kindness in the community, including a visit to Mission Arlington.

During this month’s pep rally, students dressed in superhero costumes symbolizing Kindness Heroes. In attendance at the event where Commission members Gloria Peña, Timi Hazel and Scherron Richard; Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore Victoria Farrar-Myers; and Kindness Ambassadors, Ray Casas with the Texas Rangers, Michael Daves with Chick-Fil-A and Aziz Kobty and Elizabeth Kobty with Prince Lebanese Grill. These local businesses, including the Parks Mall, contribute gift cards and certificates to help the Commission reward students and teachers for their kind deeds.

Click here to see more photos from the pep rally.

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 in 2017. 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].