Junior, Sophie Reiss, works to spread kindness in the community.

Reiss has participated in various pageants around Saint Louis, including Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen and was last year’s Miss Chesterfield Valley’s Outstanding Teen. As a platform for her pageants, Reiss has started a mission for kindness. Reiss uses social media with her hashtag #spreadingsunshine to share acts of kindness she has witnessed or performed.

“I left a sticky note on a desk at school today saying, ‘Smile more, it looks great on you!’” Reiss said.

Reiss said she started “spreading sunshine” after the dance team, the Patriettes, gave her an unusual nickname.

“The dance team nicknamed me Little Miss Sunshine,” Reiss said.

Reiss said that was when she knew she was destined to made a change, so she started her endeavor to promote kindness.

Reiss said she wanted to make her impact as widespread as possible. Reiss had an original idea to help victims of bullying, but that idea did not evolve because she felt that not all people could relate. Reiss decided to transform it into something positive… kindness.

“When I was in middle school I was bullied by someone who I thought was my friend. By creating a platform for kindness I could reach everyone,” Reiss said.

Reiss’ friend, junior Hope Allen opened up about their friendship.

“I can count on her to be the friend who just wants to have fun and doesn’t start drama,” she said.

A big part of Reiss’ life includes dancing. In addition to spending hours in a studio, she is a member of the Patriettes varsity dance team.

Dance team coach Courtney Roszell spends a lot of time with her team.

“Sophie is a ray of sunshine. Always so bright and happy and supportive. She makes everyone feel welcome and included,” Roszell said.

Freshman Natalie Hemmy describes what Reiss brings to the team.

“She brings joy. She’s always happy and will cheer you up,” Hemmy said.

FACS teacher Monica Dickens, speaks highly of the difference Reiss has made in the classroom community.

“Sophie believes in order for kids to be able to learn, they have to be treated with kindness. She does a really good job sharing with the class the pageants she does. Sophie lives kindness and models it in the classroom,” Dickens said.

Dickens also said the way students are treated impacts their success in a classroom. Dickens describes the correlation between these two circumstances.

“If a child feels loved, respected, and appreciated, they are able to learn. If a child feels unsafe, they don’t want to engage in learning. It is a huge part of their success,” Dickens said.

According to Dickens, Reiss has created a wonderful environment in which students can learn and grow. Dickens also said she treats everyone with kindness and respect which makes each student feel accepted.

Reiss impacted the lives of women with breast cancer when she bought a necklace that donated the proceeds to breast cancer research.

“I think that there are lots of negative situations on the news and you won’t change the world, but I can change one person’s world at a time,” Reiss said.