TALK - Teens Activating the Language of Kindness by Mary-Louise

TALK - Teens Activating the Language of Kindness by Mary-Louise - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

There are so many things I am grateful for when looking back at my life: my family, school and friends. I am also especially grateful for a special teacher and mentor who paved the way for the creation of a program that has turned into my passion.
Alyssa Knight is a teacher and former administrator at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, AL. She is a champion for students and is beloved for her ability to see the best in them and help them reach their full potential.
Last year, Mrs. Knight supported my idea of creating a program I had developed called TALK – Teens Activating the Language of Kindness. Without her TALK would never have existed.
TALK is based on my own experiences with self-doubt and anxiety. It is designed to help students identify negative self-talk, address it and find more appropriate coping skills.
TALK teaches that in order to be kind to others, you must first be kind to yourself. With Mrs. Knight’s support, I began meeting last year with more than 50 fourth and fifth grade girls at least twice a week, eating lunch with them, creating bonds, and correcting negative self-talk and bullying. We work on identifying negative self-talk, addressing it and finding more appropriate coping skills.
TALK has three steps:
1. Recognize negative self-messages (things like “I’m fat” or “I can’t do math.”)
2. Once you’re aware of the messages, learn to “reprogram” so “I’m fat” becomes “I’m strong” or “I can’t do math” turns into “I worked hard today.”
3. Spread the message of positivity to others.
This year, our school did away with its internship program which would have eliminated the time I spent at our elementary school working with TALK. Mrs. Knight stepped in and made sure it would continue. Not only would TALK have a second year, it was expanded to 10 hours a week and I get the opportunity to work with more than 130 students grades K-3 to 5 on age-appropriate lessons dealing with self-esteem, friendship and anti-bullying.
Thanks to her support and assistance, I have been approached by other school systems about implementing TALK in surrounding areas. We are truly using the program to make small changes that can lead to big results.
TALK has influenced my future career plans. I plan on attending Berry College in Rome, Georgia (starting in fall 2025) and will major in political science with a minor in family studies. My goal is to attend law school and become an attorney specializing in child advocacy. I would like to use this scholarship to further my educational goals and hopefully make a difference in the lives of children.

I am forever grateful to Mrs. Knight and the time and commitment she shows to her students. She is an inspiration and the perfect example of an educator who cares and goes above and beyond to effect change in all those she knows.