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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The event, which was organized by student leaders from the district\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\u2019t let his disability limit him. He played and coaches basketball, was in his high school\u2019s marching band and drives a modified vehicle, which he operates using a joystick.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to do life,\u201d he said. \u201cI just happen to have to do it a little bit differently. \u2026 Every day I get up and choose to have a positive attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The keynote speaker, Scott Backovich, was a familiar face in Kent. The motivational speaker, who lives in Southern California, visited Kent\u2019s four high schools last fall. On this visit, Backovich encouraged students to take time to pay attention to their classmates who might need help.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not asking you to change the world,\u201d Backovich implored. \u201cI\u2019m asking you to change someone\u2019s world.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Girls from Kent-Meridian\u2019s African Youth Club performed a dance during the event.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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