Student: Mitchell Geffin ’25

 PENLIGHT in his own words

Spreading POSITIVITY During Challenging Times by Mitchell Geffin ’25

My name is Mitchell Geffin, and I just completed seventh grade at Landmark Elementary•Middle School. Earlier this year, I had an idea to create a newspaper to share positive news in our community. I believe that through kind acts and gestures, we all have the ability to impact others positively. When we think, speak, and write positively, it is easier to work through challenges and achieve our dreams. Surrounding ourselves in positivity can lift our spirits, help relax our minds, and overcome obstacles.

In January, I started a newspaper called Positivity News at school. During morning meetings and milkbreak, I presented my idea to students and faculty. I asked everyone to share any acts of kindness they observed or anything positive happening in our community. I also created a Positivity Box to be located in the school’s lobby, where stories, pictures, and ideas could be submitted.

When our campus closed due to COVID-19, I had only just started collecting positive news. Although we were not physically on campus, we were all still members of Landmark’s caring community and kind acts were happening everywhere, everyday. I felt that Positivity News was more important than ever during the pandemic, so I wrote a letter to the faculty and students. I asked that they email me or my academic advisor, Ms. DeJoy, with positive news from home so we could continue the newspaper remotely.

The community was very receptive and their submissions put a smile on my face. The students and faculty were so creative, and I enjoyed receiving pictures and stories about different ways people were, and still are, thanking our amazing healthcare workers. For example, there are signs of support and appreciation displayed on people’s windows and in their yards. Many members of our community are helping others. Some are making protective face masks or delivering meals to their neighbors in need.

I enjoy every moment that I work on Positivity News with Ms. DeJoy and Mrs. Ellis and appreciate the support I have received from Landmark. An issue of Positivity News was published in the Landmark EMS Parent Newsletter every weekend of the school year, and middle school students also were able to access the newspaper in Google Classroom. My future plan is to present Positivity News orally by making a video for our community. I am confident that this newspaper helps us maintain a more optimistic perspective. It is important that we look for all the good happening around us, especially during difficult times. My hope is to spread as much positivity as I can. We all have the ability to make a huge difference even through the smallest acts of kindness. BOOK-OPEN

NAME

Mitchell Geffin

HOMETOWN

Charlestown, Mass.

CLASS OF 2025

newspaper

FAVORITE PROJECT

Creator of Positivity News

VIDEO WHAT’S NEXT FOR PN? Mitchell plans to bring Positivity News to the small screen with a video version of his publication.

We all have the ability to make a huge difference even through the smallest acts “ of kindness.”