Kindness can be as simple as a smile or as bold as one’s heart is willing to make it.

The Knights of Columbus are hoping middle-school children will express what kindness means through a written essay, artwork or a poster for its “Kindness Makes Miracles” program.

Jamie Nevins, an East Helena eighth-grader, made a poster with a picture of the world and different colors and sizes of stick people around it with a poem underneath that’s part original, part another poem she likes, and part words she incorporated from a Michael Jackson song.

The poem reads, “If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, together we’ll make the world a better place to live for you and me.”

Morgan Tielking, 11, said participation was optional, but she was inspired to enter a poster because the program is in honor of Kelly O’Loughlin, a 15-year-old sophomore from Helena High School who died in a car accident in April 2008.

Tielking’s older sister and brother knew O’Loughlin.

Carl O’Loughlin, Kelly’s father, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and said a fellow member came up with the idea.

Carl said he jumped all over the idea because his daughter was a victim of bullying.

“It makes it all the better to have Kelly’s name attached to it — it gives it a face,” he said.

Carl said his daughter would have fully supported such a program because she had a huge heart and was always the first to welcome a newcomer or champion the underdog.

Tielking said bullying is scary.

“It can ruin people’s lives,” she said.

Nevins said she’s witnessed people, including her siblings, get bullied at school. She has also defended some peers at school who were getting bullied.

“If you don’t do something, they’ll keep doing it to people,” she said.

She said she liked the idea of participating in the program because maybe her poster will make those who see it stop and think.

The entries will be displayed in downtown businesses beginning on Thanksgiving.

Essays should be 500 words or less; small artwork or a poster can be submitted by Nov. 20 to Allegra Printing, St. Mary’s Catholic Community or Eagles Manor. There are no winners, but names of each entry will go into a drawing for nine iPods (three for each grade).

Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com