By Peri Kinder
CAPTION: Stacy-Marie Hansen, second from left, and Murray High students Shannon Oveson, Lindsey Permain and Karly Rodriguez enjoy a service day at the school, part of Hansen's Pay It 4ward initiative.
Stacey-Marie Hansen wants to find out how far a little kindness can go. Hansen, who is Miss Murray 2010, just launched a website dedicated to reporting and acknowledging simple acts of kindness, no matter how small.
At Payit4ward.org, Hansen challenges visitors to do something nice every day for a family member, a close friend, an acquaintance and a complete stranger. After doing these acts of service, she asks that visitors record their experiences on the site to encourage further compassionate works.
"It's a way for everyone to get involved," Hansen said. "Everyone changes the world every day. It just depends on whether you change it for better or worse."
Since the site launched in March, almost 200 people have commented on their good deeds which can be as small as a hug or as big as donating money to Africa or time to the animal shelter.
Hansen got the idea from Rachel Scott, the first person killed during the Columbine shootings in 1999. A month before she was shot, Scott wrote an essay detailing her standards and challenging readers to start a chain reaction by doing something nice every day.
"I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same," Scott wrote. "People never know how far a little kindness can go."
Incorporating that idea, Hansen visits schools, encouraging students to create paper chains with acts of kindness written on each link. Schools interested in participating in the program can email MissMurray2010@gmail.com for more information. Hansen also distributes Pay It 4ward bracelets to help spread the word. As Miss Murray, she is trying to raise $2,000 to purchase 10,000 more bracelets for students across the state.
"Service has always been my life," Hansen said. "I've been very blessed. I've never been really sick or in a bad financial crisis. I just wanted to show my gratitude for everything I have."
Hansen is also looking for Pay It 4ward ambassadors to help strengthen schools, communities or neighborhoods. Information is available at Payit4ward.org.
"The most rewarding part of being Miss Murray is hearing the stories of service," Hansen said. "It's cool to realize the power that one can do."
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