Nearly 100 Kent School District students, staff and community members attended the third annual K-Day, a community-wide anti-bullying event, on April 19 at French Field.
The event, which was organized by student leaders from the district’s four high schools, included motivational speakers and entertainment and raised $356 for KentHOPE, which runs a day center for homeless women and children and is working on establishing a 24/7 shelter.
Carl Bonnell, a 2002 graduate of Kentwood High School and a football star who went on to play for the University of Washington, talked to students at the event about overcoming adversity. Bonnell played professional football in Europe before returning to his hometown, where he works as a school resource officer at Kentlake.
Gabe Murfitt, a motivational speaker from Woodinville, spoke about the importance of having a positive attitude. The 26-year-old, who stands 3-feet, 4-inches tall, has a birth defect that prevented his arms and legs from developing properly. Murfitt said he doesn’t let his disability limit him. He played and coaches basketball, was in his high school’s marching band and drives a modified vehicle, which he operates using a joystick.
“I like to do life,” he said. “I just happen to have to do it a little bit differently. … Every day I get up and choose to have a positive attitude.”
The keynote speaker, Scott Backovich, was a familiar face in Kent. The motivational speaker, who lives in Southern California, visited Kent’s four high schools last fall. On this visit, Backovich encouraged students to take time to pay attention to their classmates who might need help.
“I’m not asking you to change the world,” Backovich implored. “I’m asking you to change someone’s world.”
Girls from Kent-Meridian’s African Youth Club performed a dance during the event.
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