Grants in Action: BEEautiful Project Generates Kindness in Honor of Sass-a-Frass

Second graders in Bobbie Jo Roberts’ class at Cox Elementary hope to change the world.

After reading the book Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, which tells the story of how one little girl's gesture of kindness made its way around the world and back to her, the students wanted to do the same.

In memory of Sofia Mendoza, who earned the nickname Sass-a-frass, Roberts wanted a way for her students to carry out Sofia’s legacy of kindness.

“Sofia was sassy in the best and most respectful ways,” Roberts said. “She was a joyful leader, a peacemaker, and a world changer at the age of 8! Our ‘BEEautiful’ friend taught us so much about exhibiting kindness, compassion, sympathy, and empathy to friends.”

Roberts had her second-grade classes write letters to the most influential difference-makers in their lives.

“We hope that no matter what their beliefs are this holiday season, they understand that they have permanently impacted a heart and are genuinely appreciated and loved,” Roberts said.

Students wrote as many letters as they wanted. Some even took letters home to continue writing.

“I wrote letters to my whole family and to my elf,” second-grader Weston said. “He can give it to Santa.”

Thanks to the Wylie ISD Education Foundation, Roberts was awarded a $1,000 grant. The grant she wrote, titled “Continuing the Legacy of our Sass-a-frass,” purchased not only the letter-writing materials but also a necklace with a bee charm that students will gift with their letters.

“Sofia was a writer and loved this project,” Roberts said. “It began with key charms (children giving a key to their heart). However, following Sofia’s death, I really wanted to celebrate her love of writing, this project, and her love for others, so we changed it to bees in honor of her!”

Each week, one student is selected to receive the “Bee a Sass-a-Frass” award for exhibiting all of Sofia’s best traits.

With this kindness project, Roberts also taught her 7- and 8-year-olds how to gift wrap a present.

Emily wrote 10 letters, which meant wrapping 10 gifts.

“I've never wrapped a present before and now I'm good at it,” Emily said.

Roberts’ 38 students wrote a total of 400 kindness letters.

“They told me stories about why they chose to write to the people they did,” Roberts said. “The stories moved me to tears. They wrote from their hearts. They complimented and included detailed memories supporting the reasons why they chose the special persons. It was ‘Bee’autiful to witness. I read each letter and laughed or cried my way through them. I cherish the words and hide them in my heart.”

She added, “I want to always remember their sweet words. Children are the best at loving people! They forgive easily. They cheer for others. They want everyone to succeed! They are tender and unscathed by years of humanness. They are joyful! If anyone can change the world, it is children They truly believe they can, and I believe they will!”

Judah wrote a letter to his older sister, Giselle, because she is “very, very, very, very, very, very nice to me.”

Pyper wrote 15 letters to gift to her loved ones and friends!

“I hope they will be happy, excited, thankful, and joyful,” she said, “and I hope they pay it forward.”

Just like Ordinary Mary in the book, these second graders want to cause a ripple of kindness.

“You just never know how these seemingly small acts of kindness create big change in our world,” Roberts said.

Sofia’s mom recently contacted Roberts to tell her that she still has her key necklace and the note that Sofia wrote to her. She also found the key necklace that Roberts had gifted to Sofia tucked away in her jewelry box, with the note still attached.

“I gave each student a necklace after completing the project,” Roberts said. “It really hit me then. We never know when it will be time to leave this earth and, therefore, leave our forever footprint…our legacy! I am so honored that I was able to be a tiny part of the incredible legacy that Sofia has left us! And I’m so grateful she began leaving her legacy early!”

Reflecting on their efforts, Roberts asked her class, “If everybody pays it forward, what's going to happen?”

"We're going to change the world!" they shouted in unison.