At the moment, the world may seem overrun with bleak headlines, but Hidden Gems, a student-run initiative here at the high school, is helping to highlight the people who do the most for our community by making it a positive environment for all students.

The service project, led by Wilton Loves in collaboration with The Forum, recognizes important people who uplift their community and peers. Whether through service, leadership, or just being a kind person, nominees are the “hidden gems” who help make Wilton a better place. They might not always be in the spotlight, but the goal of the project is to help give them the recognition that they deserve.

A recent honoree and WHS senior, Kendra Ward, shared her thoughts on the initiative and its influence. “It’s so easy to focus on the negativity of the world,” she explained, “Hidden Gems allows us to focus on the positive things that people can do for our community.”

Beyond increasing school morale, it also serves as a reminder of the importance we all have. “Knowing that I was nominated means that my efforts to support those around me really are making a difference, which gives me (and hopefully others) greater confidence in my ability to make change for the better.”

Ultimately, she sees Hidden Gems as a positive force within the school. “Hidden Gems definitely changes the way students see each other,” she said. “By highlighting positive and active members of the community, I think that students can learn to build each other up and support each other more.”

As the program continues to grow, it serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness do not go unrecognized, and often the people who make a big difference are the ones who don’t expect recognition at all.