Walking the talk. Administrators, teachers and some students often mention the BV West cornerstones of grit, pride, family and excellence. While that does make them known to students, it also makes them fodder for joking and eye rolling.

     The Advisory team made a touchy gesture as students were leaving for the long Thanksgiving weekend by handing out I AM LOVED buttons along with a note letting every student know that they were appreciated.

     Teacher Lauren Garcia headed the project but quickly had several volunteers willing to help. Teachers Debbie Glenn and Aimee Price along with the Diversity Leadership Council and the boys basketball team helped blanket the exits on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Each student was given two pins attached to a card.

     The motto was “take one, give one. We’re glad you’re here.”

     The pins were originally sent to Lee’s Summit North this fall when they lost a student to suicide. Helzberg Diamonds, the originators of the buttons, thought there was value in sending the buttons to every high school in the area.