Kind Kids: Fall 2025
Welcome to our seasonal blog series, “Kind Kids,” where we celebrate the inspiring young individuals in our community who are making a difference for pets in need and spreading kindness! Each post will spotlight a young advocate who has shown exceptional compassion and generosity towards homeless pets in need.
Club sponsor Mrs. Rose, and students Finley Hartman, Brianna Dooley, Zoe Griffin, Gracen Werre, and Kai Okada, holding adoption posters created for the pets at JHS
This season we celebrate the dedication and creativity of Samuel Wolfson High School’s National Art Honor Society! These high school seniors showcased their artistic talents to take generosity to a whole new level by giving back in a unique way.
This November, the Wolfson High NAHS chapter created adoption posters for the pets at the Jacksonville Humane Society in an effort to help them find their new, loving homes. With determination and skill, the club created 20+ handmade posters utilizing pictures posted on the JHS website. Each poster only took an hour or two to create, depending on the realistic elements included in the artwork. Different posters highlighted different art techniques and styles, such as sketching and watercolor painting.
Club president Zoe Griffin holding her adoption poster with Luna
Looking back on their idea to help promote the pets at JHS for adoption, club president Zoe Griffin said, “I had seen posters before in personal visits and I wanted to create something colorful to catch eyes and create some cute and catchy sayings to play off their names! Just to create a point of interest or relatability to maybe help them get adopted!” While our furry friends get everything they need to be happy and healthy, the pets can sometimes feel a bit stressed or scared in a shelter setting. Highlighting moments where they showcase their personalities out of the kennels can make a such a difference in getting them adopted.
Finley Hartman posing with Dahlia and her portrait
Zoe has a unique understanding of what it means to adopt from shelters like JHS. “I personally got my dog at JHS and wanted to help support an amazing no kill shelter.” Other club members expressed loving animals and wanted to support the JHS mission as inspiration for creating the promotional masterpieces. Club member Brianna Dooley stated, “I was inspired to help these pets because unlike us, they don’t have a voice. So creating cute posters that grab people’s attention and sharing facts about the pets can give them that voice.” Kai Okada said, “I’ve had many pets of my own, including cats, and so I know how lovable they can be if they’re given the right conditions, and I’d like to see them in the right conditions.”
Kai Okada posing with Minor and his poster
When asked what kindness means to her, Brianna said, “Kindness is choosing to help and care even when you don’t have to. Kindness is warmth, patience, care, and respect. It’s a quiet gesture and a choice you make to leave anyone and anything better than how you found it.” These words emphasize the JHS motto – generosity breeds joy – and exemplifies how making an active choice to be kind can have a huge impact on all.
Brianna Dooley holding an adoption poster for Big Girl Betty (formerly known as KFC Bucket)
The chapter hopes to encourage others to find creative ways to devote time to pets in need. Zoe’s advice to her peers on how to get involved? “The biggest thing is to simply get out there! Not just coming up with ideas or drives but really setting your mind to something and doing it. Ask. Reach out, there are so many opportunities waiting for you if you simply ask.” Their creativity speaks to how we can incorporate the arts into giving back to change lives for the better.
The club’s act of kindness shows there are a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of both pets and people! We are so grateful for the Wolfson High’s National Art Honor Society and their commitment to helping pets in need in our community. Their effort shows with determination, you can take charge to inspire change by embracing your talents for good.
Thank you to all of the NAHS club members:
Isabella
Charlotte
Brianna
Emma
Zoe
Finley
Molly
Presli
Luella
Grace
Mannix
Grady
Austin
Mariana
Kai
Zoe
Lyla
Amira
Tula
Kendall
Soley
Porshai
Benjamin
Gracen
Learn more about how you can get involved:
Do you know a young animal advocate who you think should be featured in this series? We’d love to hear about them: