Kindness Counts Award winners announced

Five Niwot High School students have been named the first winners of the Kindness Counts Award, administered by The Peter Fund, a local non-profit. The students, Freddie Ambrose, Haylee Matney, Phoebe McLean, Henry Stauch, and Ellie Steele, were all nominated by NHS students and faculty.

The Kindness Counts Award and The Peter Fund were developed by Eve Bonn and Dave Elchoness after they lost their son Peter, a NHS senior, suddenly in November 2022 to myocarditis. Peter was well known as a magnetic presence who always showed kindness to those around him. His parents decided the best way to honor him would be to create The Peter Fund and the Kindness Counts Award.

Dave Elchoness said that in reviewing the many nominations, they "applied The [Peter Fund's] mission of enhancing understanding, compassion, generosity of spirit, and simple kindness." He said it was very difficult to narrow down the nominees.

"In general, we chose winners based on who they are and how they bring kindness and compassion to everything they do," he explained. Each winner received a $250 cash award and an additional $250 to donate to a youth-centered non-profit of their choice.

The nomination for McLean stated, "When someone is sitting alone at lunch, Phoebe makes sure they're invited to sit with our group. When someone overhears plans that they weren't originally invited to, she invites them without missing a heartbeat [and] will change [plans] in order to guarantee that nobody feels as though they are missing out." And, "Phoebe is also the kindest person I have ever met. She makes every person she encounters feel so loved."

McLean said she was pleasantly surprised to win the award. "This is always who I want to be," she said. "But having the example of people in my life and friends who are kind and supportive has been so helpful." McLean said that although her twin brother knew Peter better than she did, "Everyone knew Peter for his kindness and his energy." McLean has committed to Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand to study marine biology. Her $250 donation is going to Rise Against Suicide.

Stauch said he, too, was surprised to get the award, but stated, "It meant a lot to hear that I had had enough of an impact on someone to get nominated." His nominator said, "Henry is the most compassionate person I've ever met. Everywhere he goes leaves someone smiling. He is amazing at everything he does from singing and acting to sports. He never fails to make sure the people around him are okay. He is inclusive to everyone around him because he allows anyone to feel his warm embrace."

Stauch thinks a lot about being compassionate. "I remember how hard it was going into high school and the compassion the people in my life showed me during that time, and that motivated me to show the same kindness to everyone I could, which I still try to do."

He said about Peter, "I never remember him without a smile on his face, and no matter how long it had been since we'd hung out, he would always be easygoing and welcoming to me. The fact that kindness came so easily to him told me that it didn't require extra effort, but rather that it can just be a part of the personality that you share with the world every day." Stauch chose New Horizons Preschool in Boulder, a bilingual school that emphasizes diversity and inclusion, to receive his $250 donation. Stauch is headed to Dartmouth College and plans to study geography and computer science.

Nominators said about Ambrose, "Freddie is thoughtful, compassionate and considerate in his approach to life. Freddie likes to think about and understand all perspectives of any given topic. Because of this, Freddie is the least judgmental person I can think of. I challenge anyone to have a conversation with Freddie and not be changed for the better."

Matney's nomination stated, "Haylee is always there for others in times of need, and always shares a positive attitude. When someone is feeling down, she is there for them even if they're not close friends with her. Her smile is contagious, and she goes out of her way to let others know that she cares and that they are welcome wherever they may be."

"I'm always trying to help other people," Matney said. "I've been left out and it's hard. I always try to make sure everybody is included." Matney said she was hopeful that she might get nominated for the award because kindness is something she says you don't normally get recognized for.

"When I got the award," she said, "I felt like what I had done helped people. I don't do sports or anything I might get recognized for, so this feels really special." Matney will be headed to the University of Northern Colorado in August where she plans to study business. Matney says she loves to read, so her $250 donation is going to Reach Out and Read.

Steele, the final winner, was recognized by nominators saying, "Ellie has this amazing sense of humor that just lights up a room and I've never heard her speak poorly of another person. She's always the first to stick up for her friends and to tell someone when they're in the wrong. She embodies Peter's loving spirit and his amazing sense of humor, and I can't think of any person better to receive this award."

Elchoness said he is pleased with the first year results of the award and the number of nominations The Peter Fund received. His end goal, however, is to expand to other schools in the district and beyond. "We live in a world with a lot of polarization," he said. "If we're going to solve the big problems, we've got to do more than acknowledge good grades." He feels strongly that we should "encourage and emphasize good behaviors," and he believes that kindness and compassion are the key to making the world a better place.

"Most of us know instinctively that we've got to do more," he said. "We can do more to fix things. This is just one tool that we can use to make things just a little bit better."

A community party to celebrate the winners is planned for July. For more information about the Peter Fund, visit https://www.thepeterfund.org/.