Meads Mill Middle School started the 2025–26 school year with a powerful kickoff for its Be Nice campaign, a district-wide initiative focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and fostering kindness and empathy among students.
The school welcomed Michigan-based magician and keynote speaker Anthony Grupido, who captivated students with a unique blend of magic and meaningful conversation. Anthony shared lessons about resiliency, managing anxiety and depression, and the importance of speaking kindly to yourself and others. He told students, “Abracadabra means What I speak is what I create. Use your words to speak kindness to others and yourself.”
One of the most memorable moments came when Anthony freed himself from a straight jacket, symbolizing feeling trapped but also demonstrating the power of taking a deep breath and letting go of extra weight. “Just because you can’t see forward in life, doesn’t mean you have to go backwards. And just because something can be painful doesn’t mean you can’t overcome it.”
Following the assembly, students returned to classrooms to reflect on the Be Nice campaign’s goals and discuss whether Meads Mill is living up to its mission of ensuring every person who walks through the doors feels safe, both emotionally and physically.
The Be Nice program, created by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, is an evidence-based initiative using a four-step action plan — Notice, Invite, Challenge, Empower — to teach students, staff, and families how to recognize changes in themselves or others, start meaningful conversations, challenge stigma, and take action with knowledge and resources. Evidence shows that schools implementing Be Nice see increased mental health awareness, fewer behavioral referrals and bullying incidents, improved school connectedness, and stronger overall school climate.
Through events like this assembly, classroom discussions, and year-round initiatives, Meads Mill Middle School continues to create a culture where kindness, connection, and mental health awareness are at the forefront, helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Check out the photos and videos from the magician event!
Photo Album: Meads Mill Middle School Kicks Off “Be Nice” Campaign with Magic