How This Costa Mesa High School Student Started a Kindness Revolution

Rebekah Robeck Is Spreading Kindness to One Orange County School at a Time

Written By: Taylor Gorski
Photography Provided By: Let’s Be Kind Rebekah Robeck

Kindness. The whole world could use a little extra—especially now.

Rebekah Robeck, a Costa Mesa High School student, realized the lack of kindness in her own school back in 2018. Robeck wanted her peers to experience kindness in their everyday lives, so she and her mom bought pizzas to hand out on campus. Signs that read “Let’s be kind to each other” were taped to each box. They then printed the logo on T-shirts and gave one to every person at her school. Let’s Be Kind was born, and it’s grown into an amazing movement reaching thousands of people in the community.

Robeck notices the change that has taken place at her school, as students are now grasping and understanding the meaning of kindness. “Kindness, to me, is the way you treat not only the people you know, but also the people you don’t know with the most respect to making that person feel like they matter,” says Robeck. Numerous schools participate in “Let’s Be Kind Day,” a special event on school campuses to remind students they are loved, cared for and valued. Let’s Be Kind shirts can frequently be spotted around the Costa Mesa community. 

“Prior to COVID-19, we had 14 schools ready to celebrate kindness on their school campuses. What was so unique about these schools is that they all fell in the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NUMSD), and we had schools that were sponsoring schools across town,” explains Robeck. 

Robeck won the Costa Mesa Mayor’s Award in September 2019. She was recognized for her Let’s Be Kind initiative and bringing kindness to schools across the local community. “To be honest, I was very surprised by this award because I didn’t realize how impactful and big LBK was until then!” Robeck says. 

“I see Let’s Be Kind growing into an organization that reaches all students. I like telling people that my long-term goal is to have LBK all over the world. I know this is ambitious, but I truly believe that the message itself will change our culture. But for now, I would like to see this movement spread to all schools in California,” Robeck states. She believes that kindness can be spread by anyone, anywhere, and it can be as simple as smiling at someone. 

Are you looking to make a difference in your community through kindness? Join the Let’s Be Kind movement and give a T-shirt, bring the initiative to your school or become a partner sponsor.

Let’s Be Kind
150 Paularino Ave, Ste B
Costa Mesa, CA, 92626 Rebekah Robeck

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Taylor is a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. She is our Los Angeles and Orange County editor. You can find her dining at a new restaurant, in the ocean or planning her next adventure. Say hello!

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