Carlmont’s Associated Student Body (ASB) created the Positivity Commission in light of rising negativity.
ASB’s advisor and activities director, Jim Kelly, made the executive decision to create the Positivity Commission during the 2024-25 school year. The commission aims to foster a more supportive campus and spread happiness in the face of adversity.
“In today’s society, it is so easy for everything to be negative,” Kelly said.
Drawing on his leadership experience, Kelly recognized that various factors contribute to teenagers’ hardships, and sometimes positivity in the times when students are least expecting is all one needs.
From free breakfast in the quad to painting the faces of opposing teams during home football games, the Positivity Commission strives for a school full of happiness.
“The idea behind the commission is to make all feel welcome, no matter if they go to Carlmont or not. The other ASB commissions largely focus on Carlmont students, but we focus on anyone who comes to campus,” said Positivity Commission Facilitator Bhavya Raman.
During the football season, the Positivity Commission created welcome banners and organized activities to greet and engage fans and players attending Carlmont’s games. Through organizing various activities, the commission has made a lasting impact on many people, uplifting attitudes across the campus.
“New freshmen sometimes have trouble finding their place in the school, and just hearing that this commission is putting on activities to help them find their way is so great,” said Nathan Conley, a freshman.
(Melissa Hong)
The Positivity Commission largely plans its activities during school in the quad. Conley has seen patterns in the behaviors of students relative to the location of student-involved activities.
“When I’m walking around near the Performing Arts Center, it’s a little bit darker. I think people are a little happier in the quad when there are activities going on,” Conley said.
The Positivity Commission continues to create activities so that they are spreading happiness all year long.
“Our main goal is to have big events like food and games once a month. We plan to have smaller activities such as placing notes around the campus every few weeks,” Raman said.
