Step by step. Yellow t-shirt to yellow t-shirt. Smile to smile.
The Prosper community came together on Saturday March 29. to participate in the annual Hope Walk. The walk aims to spread awareness of mental health as well as suicide prevention. It was started by the various Hope Squad teams throughout high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
The event began at 9 a.m. with special guests Trent Johnson and Tim Holt from Dude Perfect delivering an inspirational speech to the crowd as they sat in the stadium seats. At around 9:30, everyone was released from their seats to the outside of the stadium to begin the walk. Each community member made four laps around the stadium. Cheer team and dance teams from each middle school showed up to cheer on the walkers. At the beginning of the walk, multiple booths were set up from different schools and their Hope Squad Teams as well as various organizations in the community.
Each booth had an activity for kids to participate in. The Hughes Elementary booth had a bracelet making station. Hughes Hope Squad Coordinator Meridith Hill said she was pleased with the outcome.
“What I enjoy most about Hope Walk is to see our community come out and join together,” Hill said. “(In) Prosper our motto is ‘We Are One’ and to seem them join and unite for a great cause.”
Windsong Elementary had a face painting booth set up. Senior Fiona Adams painted the faces of many little kids.
“I enjoy seeing all the little kids,” Adams said. “I’m doing the face paints and it’s really fun to make the designs and like customize it for what they want.”
Counselor at Dan Christie Elementary, Bridget Dobson helps the kids at her booth play a game where they knock down cones with a bean bag, similar to bowling. Next to the booth is a sign that reads, ‘Knock them down with kindness.’
“My favorite part of the Hope Walk is the community connectedness and how all the schools came together, even though we’re growing so much,” Dobson said. “It feels like a sense of unity with all of us together, and this is the best outcome yet, so I love it.”
The event wrapped up at around 11 a.m.
Counselor at PHS, Megan Howell showed up to the walk to support. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can reach out to tip411.
“What I enjoy most about the Hope Walk is seeing everyone in the community come together for a great cause,” Howell said. “And see so many smiles and laughter throughout the day.”
