What began as a small act of kindness in 2021 has grown into a powerful tradition at Gravette High School. This year’s Student Appreciation Week, organized by the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), once again brought daily surprises, thoughtful messages, and a sense of community to students throughout the building.
Students looking for their personalized note on Student Appreciation Week
The idea was first introduced by Shannon Moots during the 2020–2021 school year, when students returned to in-person learning after pandemic disruptions. With just six FBLA members at the time, Moots proposed a week-long celebration to boost morale and show students how valued they were. That original group fully embraced the plan, helping bring to life a new tradition focused on joy, kindness, and encouragement.
Student Appreciation Week Volunteers handing out candy
Since then, Student Appreciation Week has grown alongside the FBLA chapter, which now has more than 100 members. Each year, members help coordinate a special activity for every day of the week. One of the most meaningful is Post-It Note Day, when students are greeted with hand-written notes addressed directly to them. These notes take weeks to prepare, with FBLA students carefully crafting kind and personal messages for their peers.
To wrap up the week, students were called into Mrs. Moots room where cameras were set up to surprise them with a heartfelt message. They found themselves sitting down with a teacher who had chosen to recognize them personally. Each video was filmed live, capturing the student’s genuine reaction as the teacher shared what they appreciated about them. The result is a collection of unscripted, heartfelt moments that reflect the values behind Student Appreciation Week. Watch the full set of messages below.