TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Keeping up with homework, extracurricular activities, and building friendships can get overwhelming for students.
“Life can be really hard, and it can be really daunting, and high school in particular can be really hard," said Mariah Sorenson, Twin Falls High School Counselor.
Schools all over the national including Twin Falls High School are hosting ‘No One Eats Alone’ to help minimize the pressure of making friends.
“At Twin Falls High School, we don't want students to feel like they're in this by themselves, just the whole high school experience, not even just lunch. It's about making a connection, and, you know, just taking care of each other,” Sorenson said.
Its student led initiative aims to create a culture of belonging to making sure students feel accepted, respected, and valued. Students honored the day with a pizza party and games.
"We had, there's so many kids there. They were playing games. They were, I mean, it was, it was just great. Everybody was just having a really good time," said Reagan Horner, a Twin Falls High School Senior.
This is Twin Falls High School’s second year hosting. Last year’s event saw around 600 students and this year’s turn out was more than 1,000 students. For perspective, the school’s student population is 1,400. Sorenson said this year’s turnout sends a bigger message.
“I think the message is, you're not alone. Life can be really hard, and it can be really daunting, and high school in particular can be really hard. The message is, you're not alone in this. And I mean a free meal, whatever it is, but really the whole purpose is that connection,” Sorenson said.
Horner said hosting an event like this one helps students meet new friends in an easier environment.
"My classes don't really coincide with a lot of the kids that I go to school now. And so I was talking to kids I had never met before. I was playing games with people I had never really met before or even seen before, and it's just, it's a very friendly time, and we just, and it's just, I think it's great,” Horner said.
Sorenson said the money used for the event came from a grant that was written by students.
Horner said she hopes other schools try this initiative to help students feel like they’re included.