Student-led Spring Towards Peace campaign kicks off with school assemblies and real conversations. April 19 event includes a 5K Race Against Violence and a community festival at Azalea and Hudson parks. Supported by the Wakulla Rotary Club, with proceeds going to Futures Without Violence. Watch the video to learn how you can get involved with this campaign
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
When students at Wakulla High School saw their community facing difficult conversations around mental health and violence, they decided to do something about it.
Thats how Spring Towards Peace was born. It’s a student-led campaign focused on healing, awareness, and action.
Organized by Wakulla Highs Interact Club with support from the Wakulla Rotary Club, the campaign kicked off with assemblies across schools in Wakulla County. Students wore green to show support for violence prevention and heard from mental health professionals, law enforcement, and even survivors of violence. The goal: get young people talking and ensure they know where to turn for help.
Prevention really stood out to us and youth mental health awareness, one student said during the assembly kickoff.
McKenna Sanders, vice president of the Interact Club, says that open conversations are at the heart of their mission.
Having these hard conversations and confronting our grief head on, and confronting these things plaguing our communityand not shying away from themis really beneficial to everyone, Sanders said.
Club President Sophia Kamal added that the issue hits close to home.
Ive had my own struggles with mental health, Kamal said. And I know being afraid to speak out about it is really hard because its not talked about enough so were trying to make people feel comfortable.
The second half of Spring Towards Peace takes place Friday, April 19, starting with the Race Against Violence 5K at Azalea Park. The race begins at 5:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to wear campaign shirts and walk past signs with facts, support resources, and messages of hope. Registration fees from the 5K will directly support the national nonprofit Futures Without Violence.
Immediately after the race, the celebration continues where a community-wide festival will bring people together for a good cause. Expect food trucks, live music from local bands, dance team performances, games, and booths run by Wakulla High student clubs. Local organizations will also be on hand with information on mental health services, domestic violence resources, and ways to get involved.
The campaign wouldnt be possible without collaboration. Alongside the Interact Club, the Wakulla Rotary Club played a key role in helping students organize the campaign, coordinate resources, and secure funding.
Local sponsors have also stepped up to support the cause. So far, nearly $4,000 has been raised.
90% of all proceeds will go directly to Futures Without Violence, while the remaining 10% will help fund future student-led projects by the Interact Club.
From assemblies to action, Wakullas youth are showing that change starts with them and theyre not just hoping for a better future, theyre building it.
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