This year, the Middle School took Pink Shirt Day to the next level with a unique and meaningful initiative: a Pink Shirt Day design contest. The winning design, created by Jacob J., adorned the exclusive SMUS Pink Shirts that students proudly wore on Feb. 26. This initiative not only raised awareness about bullying but also empowered students to take ownership of the message behind Pink Shirt Day: kindness, inclusion and standing up for others.
Pink Shirt Day, which originated in Canada in 2007, has grown into a global movement to combat bullying and promote inclusivity. This year’s event was particularly significant given today’s divisive climate, where issues of discrimination, exclusion, and online harassment continue to challenge communities worldwide. By participating in Pink Shirt Day, SMUS joined countless Canadians in taking a stand against bullying and reaffirming the values of empathy, respect and unity.
The Mind Behind the Design
Jacob’s winning design stood out for its thoughtful connection to his peers, which was both meaningful and, in true Gen Z-fashion, delightfully quirky.
“I felt that sometimes the same cliché messages, such as ‘bullying is bad’ or ‘don’t be a bystander,’ don’t really connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids today,” Jacob explained. “That’s why I chose to incorporate slang into my design. I wanted to make a deeper connection with the people who would be wearing it.”
Jacob’s approach was strategic and heartfelt. He considered what would resonate most with his classmates, even brainstorming designs inspired by popular platforms like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Squid Game.
“I thought, ‘What would get the most votes?’ In my mind, it was something that people would find funny and connect with,” he said.
When asked how it felt to see his design worn by so many people, Jacob admitted it was “pretty exciting.” Initially, he didn’t think much about the contest, but when his design made it to the top three, he was thrilled.
A Contest with a Purpose
The design contest was launched by the Middle School Service Council to encourage greater participation and ensure the message of Pink Shirt Day resonated beyond simply wearing a pink shirt for one day. Students were invited to submit original designs that reflected the spirit of Pink Shirt Day while also connecting to the SMUS community.
After reviewing all entries, the Service Council selected the top three designs, which were then put to a student vote. Jacob’s design emerged as the clear favourite, earning widespread praise for its creativity, relatability and quintessential Gen Z flair.
The contest was about more than just creating a cool design; it was about empowering students to take ownership of the message behind Pink Shirt Day. By involving students in the design process, the initiative deepened their understanding of the importance of kindness, empathy and standing up for others.
This day was an opportunity to shift the focus from appearances to the meaningful message behind Pink Shirt Day. It’s about standing together against bullying and fostering a culture of inclusion, not just for one day but every day.
Beyond raising awareness, the Pink Shirt initiative made a tangible difference by supporting a local organization. Through t-shirt sales and the Middle School Service Day, more than $1,000 was raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region, amplifying the initiative’s impact.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Jacob emphasized the importance of keeping the spirit of Pink Shirt Day alive throughout the year.
“Personally, I feel like Pink Shirt Day shouldn’t just be one day where no bullying happens. It should be all year round,” he said. To maintain momentum, Jacob suggested taking different approaches, like interactive activities or games, to keep the message fresh and engaging.
In today’s socially charged and often polarized world, Pink Shirt Day served as a timely reminder of the power of unity and compassion. By standing together against bullying, the SMUS community demonstrated that even in challenging times, small acts of kindness and solidarity can make a profound difference.
“Bullying? Sounds like negative aura. Be the real rizzler, choose kindness.” At SMUS, that’s exactly what we’re doing.
