National Honor Society students Kady Dunn and Abby Ammon pose by one of the positive messages that now cover all 24 stalls in the boys and girls restrooms. (Photo submitted)

LISBON — It was once said that good words are worth much and cost little. An initiative at Lisbon’s David Anderson High School — funded by a mini grant from the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board — is proving those very words to be true.

“The National Honor Society and the advisor Mrs. [Lisa] Baker applied for the grant and was awarded $826 to cover all 24 stalls in the boys and girls restrooms with positive messages,” Lisbon Superintendent Joe Siefke said. “Message wall clings were installed over the summer and they promote healthy lifestyles and suicide prevention and other positive messages. And I thought it was pretty cool.”

The project was spearheaded by Baker and National Honor Society (NHS) students Kady Dunn and Abby Ammon. Sign holders on the inside of the stalls were installed to promote positive messaging throughout the year.

“Instead of staring at a blank space, we’re looking at positive words that could impact our day for the better,” Ammon said.

The messages remind students to “be the hero to your own life story” and that “perfect girls aren’t real, real girls aren’t perfect.”

“Seeing the signs with encouraging words helps us take a step back and stay positive,” Dunn said.

The initiative killed two birds with one stone and the grant made it possible to see an idea Baker had come to fruition.

“One goal of mine was to brighten up the restrooms and add positive messages for the students,” she said. “When I saw the grant advertised, I thought this was a great way to get the funding for the project.”

This service project launches a series of National Honor Society initiatives at DAHS this year. The group will also participate in other service projects, such as assisting the Lisbon Lions Club to make apple dumplings for the Johnny Appleseed Festival and assisting McKinley Elementary’s PTO at their Spring Fling event. Senior NHS members are also responsible for organizing the NHS Induction Ceremony and the annual Honors Banquet.

“This is all pretty good stuff and [the messages project] is a great way to kick things off and use money in a positive way for our kids,” Siefke said.