Last week, ‘It’s coming…’ poster decorated the walls, making Hardin Valley student wonder what it is that is coming. Senior Kelsey Baker has planned a whole week’s worth of awareness for a cause that is close to her heart to cease the questions.

   The campaign is called Spread the Word to End the Word, and the word is “retard”. Baker’s philosophy is to educate students and teachers the harmful effects of using the R-Word in a disrespectful way. “I just want to educate and not give people the excuse of not knowing,” explained Baker.

Kelsey has been involved in peer tutoring since she was in seventh grade, and has been in love with it ever since. “I don’t really even consider it peer tutoring,” said Kelsey. She continued, “They are just some more of my friends.”

The campaign kicked off with an advisory video on Monday, featured and made by our very own Hardin Valley Students. Senior Nathan Richardson, a first time peer tutor, was amazed with the reaction of his advisory class. “As a person who has used it a lot in the past, I am more aware of it now. The video went over really well, and it was dead silent in the room,” said Nathan. He continued, “This really shows the quality of our school and the [good] people we have.”

As most can already tell, Student Government members have been passing out  slips with “words of wisdom” (as Kelsey says) and candy. Every day, the pledge banner gets fuller and fuller with promises to not use the R-Word in a disrespectful manner.  All this builds up to the rally that will go on during enrichment this Friday. The rally will be filled with powerful speeches from peers, videos, and guest speaker Inky Johnson, a former UT football player who experienced a career ending injury.

With an event filled week right at our finger tips, the Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign is sure to be a success.