By Vanessa Sims

Trying to find love in a world filled with hate and mass destruction is like trying to find the light in a pitch black, never-ending tunnel–almost impossible.

But one day out of the year, one out of 365, since 2007, schools from all over Colorado have come together to show the love and support the world needs.

For almost a decade, Day Without Hate has been a tradition where people not only wear white to show unity and nonviolence, but to show that we are all in this together. It all started with a small group of Standley Lake high schoolers and English teacher Ben Reed, who decided that enough was enough and that all the hate and discrimination in the world needs to end. They asked their fellow peers to wear white to show the world that they have had enough of the bullying, the sadness, and the growing animosity. Since then, the day has become a nationwide success filled with community love and peace.

Last year, Day Without Hate was held at Standley Lake High School and was an incredible success. This year its progress grew exponentially and triumphed beyond compare. The rally took place on April 29 at Creighton Middle School where some of Denver’s best food trucks like Kona Shaved Ice, Devil Dog Grill, and Talerico’s served food. As for the pre-show entertainment, Colorado’s own HomeSlice performed some of the best, modern-day hits, allowing the audience to let go and release their inner partier.

After the band and the delicious food trucks, the night only got better. Like every year, the Arvada West Sparkle group pulled off a beautiful performance, capturing the entire audience! Another group that stole the hearts of everyone was performed by elementary schoolers featuring one young man named Anton, who happens to be blind, autistic, and wildly talented. It was truly remarkable!

The rally also consisted of very inspiring and heartwarming performances by slam poets, like Austin Diering from Dakota Ridge High School, keynote speakers, like Adam Baca who is a former Standley Lake student and one of the founders of the Day Without Hate organization, and a few other singers. These singers included Emery Hines, a student from Standley Lake, who sang “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong on her ukulele. Her performance was absolutely astonishing and took everyone’s breath away. Another was a student from Arvada West, Rowan Anderson, whose performance was no less superb.

Although the crowd was united with white, they were still clueless about  the person next to them and the rest around. To solve this, there was an activity that was determined by the wristbands that were handed out at the door. Each band was a different color and had either an X or an O, and based on the color and letter, you were put into groups. Once settled and into groups, they had to circle up and each person had to introduce themselves, telling what they were, and what school they attended. After one person went, the entire group would get really loud and cheer. It was definitely a clever activity that got everyone out of their shell.

Near the end, Standley Lake’s very own, Ben Reed, presented a piece from American rapper and Youtuber, Prince Ea, “Why I Think the World Should End.” Now, it sounds very negative, and in reality, it is. But it also touched on all the problems in today’s society in politics, the economy, and the overall social issues that are not viewed upon as important or relevant. The last video shown was one by the renowned Kid President. His “How to Change the World (a Work in Progress)” which discusses the different ideas by other people on how to change the world. This, too, was without a doubt inspiring.

To understand the need and want for change, one must know the reason behind it. When asked why he, personally,  wanted change and what led him in this direction, Reed told about him growing up and the things he did as a kid, like playing basketball and reading often. He then brought up the shooting at Columbine High School in April of 1999 and that, living only miles away, it was personal to him.

“It wasn’t some foreign, unknown presence raining terror. It was two kids who grew up in the same neighborhoods I grew up in,” explains Reed. This idea may be troubling to some and an eye-opener to others because, when all is said and done, it is true, these kinds of people, no matter who, come from somewhere.

But why do Day Without Hate in the first place? What could he possibly get out of it? Reed, based on his personal experience wants to “make sure..no kid [lives] in fear of their own school.” Looking at the other side, he wants the same about shooters, for kids to never feel the way they did by using violence to escape any problems. “If we can’t protect our kids in schools, we’ve failed as a society,” says Reed. He has the same hopes as most others do, he just has the courage to say and do something about it–that this one day within love will provide a safe haven for those in need and a welcoming in people’s everyday lives.

Day Without Hate, the rally and all, will always be a success because there there will always be someone who is willing to break the silence and speak up about the violence and hatred in their lives. When asked for advice for those that did not attend the rally and for just overall advice in general, Reed tells that by looking towards peace and forgiveness instead of violence and hate, the world will get better and that for any students who feels alone anywhere and at anytime, just know that you are not and that “…Life can get better and be happier.” He says, “ Trust and risk opening up to others. It will be okay in the end.”

So to all whom this may apply, please, follow these wise words and know that you are surrounded by people who care. Never forget it.