‘A fundamental virtue’: Bishop’s School senior is on a kindness tour of local elementary schools

Chloe Chereque was “the new kid” when she moved to La Jolla from Miami in the sixth grade. She was met with kindness and acceptance. But she knows not everyone can say the same.

“It just felt so easy moving here, and I know so many people who’ve moved from all around the world who never felt so welcome,” Chereque said. “I got really lucky, and for the kids who aren’t going to feel as lucky, I want them to be around kind people.”

Equipped with her experience and a book she released in March, Chereque — now a senior at The Bishop’s School — is returning to elementary schools in La Jolla and Miami to try to push the next generation in the right direction.

“Kindness: The Secret Superpower” chronicles Chereque’s overall experience and the ways acts of kindness caused a ripple effect. She considers the book a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction.

After releasing it this year, Chereque visited Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Florida. Not long after, she returned to her former campus, The Evans School in La Jolla, as well as All Hallows Academy and La Jolla Elementary.

At each stop, Chereque walks the audience through the book and describes the “happy chemicals” serotonin and dopamine. When people are kind, she says, it feels like your heart is glowing and there are sparkles on your head.

“Something I really want to emphasize is obviously the person who felt kindness felt great, but the person who’s being kind felt great also,” Chereque said.

“Maybe they weren’t the new kid in their school, but they felt like the new kid on their soccer team or in their youth group. It’s relatable to anyone in some way.”

At the end of each talk, Chereque hands all the students a “kindness card” to help them put into practice what they learned. Prompts encourage the students to thank their teachers, help clean their classroom without being asked and share supplies with their peers.

With schools back in session for the new year, her book tour is back as well. She has  presentations lined up in La Jolla at The Children’s School, Bird Rock Elementary and La Jolla Country Day School.

“It’s been really cool, because as somebody who’s not their age but closer to their age, they’re so much more excited to see what I have to say,” Chereque said.

“I always say, ‘I was in your shoes … eight years ago. I was right where you are.’”

Chereque’s mother, Michelle, said she serves as an extra set of hands while Chloe reaches out to schools, delivers presentations and spreads the word about her book.

Michelle Chereque said she’s been struck by how students receive the story.

“What’s really cool is to see these little kids — they look at her and they’re in awe,” Michelle said. “And they come up to her after and hug her … and write her notes that say ‘We love you.’ So clearly it touches on the things that relate to them and … it resonates with them.”

Chloe is “an old soul, and she has that passion for understanding people,” Michelle continued. “So it felt like a natural evolution … for her to be writing a children’s book and trying to influence these children and make them better people.”

Chloe echoed the importance of helping the next generation.

“Kindness is such a fundamental virtue,” she said. “If I can do anything to instill kindness in the younger people in the community, that’s one of the biggest steps I can take.”

“Kindness: The Secret Superpower” is available on Amazon. To follow Chloe Chereque’s book touring, go to @teachkindnessofficial on Instagram or teachkindness.com.