Middle school students celebrate Ramer’s kindness
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School celebrated the life of Brent Ramer, a former student in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District who lost his battle with cancer four years ago.
As part of the school-wide initiative, Do Something Great, students and staff worked throughout the months of October, November and December to be positive agents of change, making the world a better place through simple acts of kindness and service.
From donating aluminum pull-tabs to Ronald McDonald House Charities and volunteering at local food pantries, to donating clothes for the homeless and helping neighbors with yard work, the Do Something Great initiative demonstrated that opportunities to impact the community and world are easy to find.
The campaign took place over an 84-day period beginning Oct. 7, on what would have been Brent’s 22nd birthday, and ran through Dec. 30, the date he lost his courageous battle with cancer in 2017.
As part of the program, students were encouraged to share how they made a difference by submitting their personal acts of kindness through a Google form to receive a shout-out on the middle school’s morning announcements, or by sharing their examples using #dosomethingreat on social media. Students also were encouraged to share how they were a positive presence in the world on paper stars located in the display case near the main office. The Do Something Great initiative was originally started by Dan Ramer, Brent’s father, and was expanded to a school-wide program by BBHMS Health and Life Skills Teacher, Maria Schneider.
The Ramer family expressed its gratitude for the outpouring of support for the Do Something Great initiative. Eighth-grader Olivia Ramer, Brent’s youngest sister, said she is overjoyed to see fellow peers celebrate her brother’s inspiring life in creative and tangible ways that helps others. ∞