On February 8th 2019, 170+ schools across the country celebrated P.S. I Love You Day. Many students across the country wore purple to stand up against bullying, help end depression, and prevent suicide. Our Student Council came up with the idea of P.S. I Love You Week which took place from February 4th-8th. Monday’s theme was  to write an kind message about yourself on the rotunda windows of kindness. Tuesday’s theme was Student Council handing out Tootsie-Pop candy to students. Wednesday’s theme was a positive post-it on random students lockers. Thursday’s theme was purple ribbon day. Lastly, Friday’s theme was wear purple in support of P.S. I Love You Day. On February 8th, the second Friday of the month, Brooke Dipalma, creator of P.S. I Love You Day,  paid the Lindenhurst High School a heart-warming visit. Brooke Dipalma is 22 years old and lives in New York City. She is a graduate of Marist College, with a degree in Communications. Here is her story.

On April 23rd, 2010, when she was only 14 years old , Brooke lost her dad to suicide. She was taken out of school and was taken home to a scene no child would want to ever see. At that moment, Brooke was lost and confused. She felt as if she had nowhere to turn. The last words her father said to her that morning when he drove her to school were, “I Love You.” With those words, Brooke created P.S I Love You Day with the help of her West Islip High School.

Brooke captivated the audience with her powerful message.  She got the audience to think by getting them involved. She asked students to raise hands if they had been a victim of or seen someone being bullied, been called names and teased, or have seen someone writing negative messages on social media. More than half of the students in attendance raised their hands.

Brooke’s speech certainly had a impact as students were asking questions at the end such as, “Why did your father do it?” She said she didn’t know and that it shows you how you don’t know how anybody feels inside. You don’t know what is going on. And that’s why mental health is so important. 

Brooke also spoke about the importance of being an up-stander, to support someone if they need help. She also simplified how to help someone by reviewing the ABC’s in order to help Depression:

A- Advocate for yourself and for others

B- Boost family and friend support

C- Seek Care

Anthony Castello, signed up to be an student ambassador for P.S. I Love You Day and organized the whole event with the help of his peers. The Student Council, Ms. Scharf, and committee members worked so hard for this assembly. An optional assembly for all teachers and students was arranged, and it took place in the auditorium, February 8th, 2019, during second period.  During the assembly Castello and his peers brought to stage the chain of kindness. The chain of kindness had positive sayings written on notes from the kids in our school. So many students started to write down positive messages and the chain would get longer and longer. The chain was a little under 1000 messages. Castello stated, “You know, we’ve been doing lessons on peer pressure and drugs. There is more focus on those things than bullying. I feel that bullying is a bigger issue.” He also said, “Brooke Dipalma is the most selfless person I have ever met; she’s a incredible person.”  Castello also stressed that Brooke didn’t just create P.S. I love you Day just for her Dad, but to raise awareness for others in similar situations.