It is our pleasure to introduce to you Lilly Cappiello as our December Cape Kid of the Month. Lilly is a 5^th grader at Alexandria Middle School in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  She plays lacrosse and basketball for Hunterdon County and is often found staying late, after her games, to cheer on the kids playing the next game.

Like the flower, Lilly is known to brighten a person’s day. She likes to bring people together and advocates for those who are left out or need a helping hand. In school Lilly helped a girl who was being bullied by including her at her lunch table. She also reached out to another friends, to offer support and care, when she saw they were having a problem.

Lilly has a special bond with her beloved Aunt Ginny, who is developmentally disabled. This relationship developed a desire in Lilly to care for and spread extra kindness to those with special needs.  For instance, when Lilly saw a man with special needs at church, she immediately turned to her mom and said, “I feel like he doesn’t have many people to say hello to him, so I am going to say hi to him each week.”

Like many middle school students, Lilly has been faced with being teased, due to her learning disability. It’s unfair and unkind, but Lilly chooses to combat these bullies with kindness.  She has a BETTER THAN THAT™ message for all middle school kids. Please read this message to your children, and share with friends. It’s such an important message that our young children need. Please help us spread this message to all.

Dear Middle School friends,

Sometimes I’ve been teased at school and it hurts my feelings and makes me really sad. A strategy I use is pretending that there’s a shield around me, so the teasing doesn’t get to me. Sometimes I stand up for myself and say, “You can’t talk to me like that.” But that can be hard to do.

I always make sure I talk to my mom or another grown up, whom I trust. That helps me feel better.

If you see someone else being a bully, don’t follow him/her and if you can, find a way to get this person to stop (confront, tell an adult). We all need to think about our own words and how they can make the other person feel.

Your friend,

Lilly

Thank you, Lilly, for spreading kindness and helping those in need. You are an excellent example of showing that you can be kind every day, in small ways that have a great impact to all!

If you have a great kid that you would like to nominate for our Cape Kid of the Month award, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com