JFK High School Comes Together to Celebrate What Makes Each Student Unique

Inspirations captured a truly spontaneous moment today at JFK High School, the second stop on the Jackie Fisher Empathy Tour. Before we even began, I asked the principal Harry Michalopolous  if we could fill the whole auditorium with the entire school, and he immediately said, you want the whole school?!  I told him, ‘Yes!’  and that’s when he smiled and said, ‘The more the merrier.’ From there, it naturally turned into a ‘more the merrier’ gathering as the principal brought more and more students in. The room filled with a beautiful mix of individuals from all walks of life.

With affirmations ranging from ‘never give up’ to the delightfully quirky ‘I’m cool, because I’m awesome,’ the students showcased their personalities and their spirit. Another student wrote, ‘I’m unique because I’m not like everyone else,’ and when he shared it out loud, the entire room—students, including some with special needs—burst into encouragement and applause. It was incredibly heartwarming, especially because we had just been talking about the power of lifting each other up.

One student even confided in me at the end how inspired she felt, sharing her own journey with a quiet thank you. It was a vivid reminder that sometimes the most meaningful impact is simply bringing everyone together. And as the speaker, I was genuinely grateful to be part of these heartwarming, quirky, spontaneous moments—to connect with the students, hear their voices, and witness so many different personalities and stories coming together all at once. 

Next stop: Lauren Hill Academy on November 25th, with Sara Levitt.

A heartfelt thank-you to the Jaclyn Fisher Foundation and Inspirations for giving our students this powerful message — that hope, kindness, and inclusion can truly transform the world.