Students in the Wendell H. Ford Statesmanship Academy are using the holiday season to encourage Owensboro residents to show more kindness, patience, and understanding. Their student-led 12 Days of Civility initiative promotes small, daily actions aimed at strengthening conversations and community connections during a time often marked by busy schedules and heightened emotions.
As part of the effort, students visited local businesses and organizations to explain the meaning behind the campaign and why civility remains central to a healthy community. They also produced a series of short videos — one for each day — which are being released throughout the season on the Ford Center’s social media platforms.
“The 12 Days of Civility challenge allows us to practice integrating civility into our daily routines in small and easy steps,” said Mallory Raines, a senior at Daviess County High School. “Civility will improve many aspects of our community, from allowing more effective discussions to solve problems to supporting your neighbors in need.”
Owensboro High School junior Ridley Cecil said the message ties naturally into the holidays.
“The 12 Days of Civility go hand in hand with the holiday spirit and being kind and helpful to one another,” he said.
The initiative reflects the broader mission of the Wendell H. Ford Statesmanship Academy, which emphasizes leadership grounded in civility, cooperation, and compromise through hands-on learning and discussion-based programming. Raines said the program has helped her approach issues more thoughtfully.
“It can be hard to find unbiased information about current events, and it is helpful to discuss and debate issues in a way that supports learning, not attacking others,” she said.
Cecil added that the Academy has shaped his interest in civic life.
“The Ford Center is special because it gives me the best education I’ve ever received on government,” he said. “I don’t think I would have become this interested in politics at a young age without it.”
Program Coordinator Emmy Woosley said the project demonstrates the strength of student leadership within the Academy.
“We love seeing student-led projects like the 12 Days of Civility because it allows students to be civically involved in a meaningful way,” she said. “This initiative not only encourages students to practice civility themselves, but it also shows our community that these students care deeply about how we engage with one another, especially when opinions differ.”
Woosley said the goal is to prepare students for thoughtful participation in civic life.
“The Ford Center teaches students that leadership is not about winning arguments,” she said. “It’s about listening, learning, and working together through civility, cooperation, and compromise.”
