Shauna Conway Key Takeaways:
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Student-Led Design: The shirts were designed entirely by the students to reflect their mission that kindness is a choice.
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Longevity: Established in 2016, the club has been active for nine years and has hosted hundreds of members.
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Community Connection: They connect with the future generation through a pen pal program with Villa Park Elementary.
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Campus Appreciation: They lead the “Thank a Custodian Day” to honor school staff.
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The Motto: Their core message is #choosekindness.
A Legacy of Compassion
The Kindness Club isn’t a new trend at Villa Park HS; it has been a staple of the school’s culture for nearly a decade. Founded in 2016 by Mrs. Deuning, the club was created with a simple yet powerful goal: to spread more kindness to the world we live in. Over the last nine years, hundreds of students have joined the ranks, proving that compassion is a legacy worth building.
More Than Just a Shirt
When the club came to us for their latest apparel order, they weren’t just looking for a logo—they wanted a statement. The students themselves designed the artwork to represent their core mission: #choosekindness.
The message behind the merchandise is straightforward: Kindness is a choice we make every day. By wearing these shirts, the students are acting as walking billboards for compassion, reminding their peers that being kind is an active decision.
Donated By the Villa Park Rotary
This year, the Villa Park Rotary donated 25 shirts for the club’s members. Every student got a kindness club t-shirt because of their sponsors and the Villa Park Rotary.
Kindness in Action
The club doesn’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk. Their calendar is packed with activities that bridge generational gaps and show appreciation for unsung heroes. Some of their standout initiatives include:
- Jr. Kindness Kids: They serve as pen pals to second graders at Villa Park Elementary. Throughout the year, the high schoolers write letters and make gifts for these younger students, fostering mentorship and connection.
- Thank a Custodian Day: The club coordinates this schoolwide event to celebrate and honor the hardworking custodial staff who keep the campus running.
- Friendship Bracelets: Sometimes a small gesture means the most. The students make and distribute friendship bracelets to spread immediate cheer.
As they approach their ten-year anniversary next year, the Kindness Club continues to grow. As they told us, “Kindness will never grow out of style.”
Conclusions
We love seeing our custom screen printing used to unify a group with such a positive purpose. The Kindness Club at Villa Park HS is a shining example of how school spirit wear can be about more than just colors and mascots—it can be about character.
Here at Kustom Imprints, we are cheering them on as they march toward their tenth year of making the world a kinder place. Remember to #choosekindness!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kindness Club exists to promote kindness and compassion within Villa Park High School and the surrounding community.
The club was founded in 2016 by Mrs. Deuning. Next year, they will celebrate their 10th anniversary!
The students in the Kindness Club designed the shirts themselves. They wanted apparel that specifically represented their mission to promote kindness as a choice.
Their main motto is #choosekindness, but they also use #bekind, #vphsiskind, and #vphskindnessclub.
They are pen pals with second graders at Villa Park Elementary (whom they call "Jr. Kindness Kids"), exchanging letters and gifts throughout the school year.
Yes! They coordinate the VPHS "Thank a Custodian Day," a schoolwide event dedicated to celebrating the custodial staff.
You can follow their journey on Instagram by searching for the hashtag or handle #vphskindnessclub.
Currently, they do not have a dedicated webpage; they operate primarily through school activities and their Instagram presence.
Since its inception in 2016, hundreds of students have been members of the organization.
