South Tama Middle School students react as their helium-filled balloons are air borne on Friday Oct. 18. Students had written their own one-word message on the balloons telling how they would make a difference in someone else’s life this year as part of their acceptance of the five challenges of the Friends for Change program. MORE?PHOTOS- Click CU?- tamatoledonews.com Chronicle/John Speer

With balloons with names signed set aloft, the second year for Friends for Change Club was really “launched” at the South Tama Middle School on Friday, Oct. 19. Jackie Ellenbecker, the sponsor for the organization who also is the STC Juvenile Court school liaison, said 75 girls and boys have become members so far.

Friends For Change follow the challenges set forth in the Rachel’s Challenge Program:

Look for the best in others

Dream big

Choose positive influences

outh Tama High School role models Erin Filloon (left) and Lacey Crain (right) along with Middle School students including Brianna Jones (center) bring the balloons to the kick-off rally for Friends for a Change on Oct. 18 at the Middle School in Toledo.

Speak kind words

Start a chain reaction with my friends and family

Rachel’s Challenge was started by the parents of Rachel Scoot, the first student to die in the 1999 Columbine School shootings. It is described as a program to “equip students and adults” to prevent bullying and “work through feelings of isolation and despair” through “kindness and compassion.”

For the South Tama Middle School Friends for a Change members, meetings are held from 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays monthly.

Students are encouraged to show acts of kindness through a variety of activities ranging from showing appreciation to staff to making posters and “chalking” sidewalks to spread the messages, described as “not seen as rules – a way of living and being.”

Jackie Ellenbecker, sponsor for the Friends for a Change organization at the South Tama Middle School in Toledo speaks to student members before the balloon release on Friday, Oct. 19.

Balloons rise above the South Tama Middle School in Toledo on Friday, Oct. 18 during the Friends for a Change rally.