Show Us Your Kind!: Schoolwide Group Formation Contest

As part of the 2026 Great Kindness Challenge, we invite schools everywhere to bring this year’s theme — “Show Us Your Kind” — to life through powerful, schoolwide participation! Rally your students and staff and show the world what kindness looks like in action!

We’re so excited to see how your school comes together to “Show Us Your Kind!” through kindness, unity, and creativity!

To enter our random opportunity drawing, invite your entire school to form a heart, peace symbol, or kind message—on the field or in the gym—and capture the joyful formation from above using a drone or a tall ladder. Be sure to check out our short video featuring some of our favorite schoolwide formations for inspiration.

Please submit the entry form and upload your schoolwide formation photo(s) by Friday, February 6. If you’re unable to meet the deadline, we still encourage you to submit your photos—late entries may be featured on our website as part of our global celebration of kindness and creativity.

Prizes (for schools submitting by February 6):

  • 1st Place: Pizza Party for your school (up to $1,000 value)
  •  2nd Place: OOLY art supplies basket
  •  3rd Place: Another amazing OOLY art supplies basket

We can’t wait to see the incredible ways your school shows kindness in action!
#ShowUsYourKind

Submit Contest Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Show Us Your Kind Schoolwide Formation Contest?

The “Show Us Your Kind!” Schoolwide Formation Contest is a fun way for Great Kindness Challenge schools to celebrate kindness and unity by creating a group formation—like a heart, peace symbol, or unifying word or phrase—and submitting aerial photos (i.e. taken from a high vantage point to capture all students in the school-wide formation) for a chance to win prizes!

2) Who can participate?

Any school participating in The Great Kindness Challenge is invited to join.

3) Can schools from anywhere in the world participate?

Yes! Schools from anywhere in the world are welcome and encouraged to enter the contest.

4) Does the formation need to be schoolwide, or can a class or grade-level enter too?

While we love seeing full schoolwide formations, class-wide or grade level formations are absolutely welcome too! Class entries are invited to submit photos and participate.

5) What kinds of formations can our school create?

Your school can form a:

    •  Heart
    •  Peace symbol
    •  Unifying word/phrase/message such as:
      • “Kindness Matters”
      • “Be Kind”
      • “Choose Kindness”
      • “Love”
      • “We Are Kind”
      • “Unity”

6) Do you have any tips for creating a schoolwide formation?

Yes! Here are a few quick tips to make it easy and successful:

  • Plan your shape/message ahead of time using chalk, field spray paint, cones, or painter’s tape.
  • Choose a space with room to spread out like a field, blacktop, multipurpose room or gymnasium.
  • If you are forming a word or phrase, divide students by classroom or grade level and assign the classrooms or grade levels to a letter based on the number of students in the group and size/shape of the letter they are assigned to (e.g. smaller groups could form more simple letters like “I”). Have at least one adult leader for each letter.
  • Have adults or student leaders help with group placement and spacing.
  • Capture the photo from above using a drone, a balcony, or a tall ladder.
  • Take a few shots to ensure the formation is clear—then pick your best one!

7) How do we enter the contest?

Simply complete the entry form and upload your formation photo(s) by the deadline.

8) What is the submission deadline?

Please submit your entry form and upload your photo(s) by Friday, February 6.

9) What prizes can schools win?

Schools that submit a schoolwide formation (as seen in the examples shown) by February 6 will be entered to win:

  • 1st Place: Pizza Party for your school (up to $1,000 value)
  • 2nd Place: OOLY art supplies basket
  • 3rd Place: OOLY art supplies basket

10) How many photos can we submit?

Please upload 1–3 high-quality photos that best showcase your formation.

11) Do we need to submit an unedited photo?

Yes, please include at least one photo with no text, graphics, or filters added (a clean original image).

12) What photo formats are accepted?

Accepted formats are:

  • JPG
  • PNG
  • HEIC

13) Is there a maximum file size for photo uploads?

Yes — the maximum file size is 25 MB per photo.

14) Can we submit a video of our formation instead of a photo?

The contest entry is photo-based only, so photos are required to officially enter.
However, we would LOVE to see any videos you capture! Please feel free to upload your video (s) in the submission form or email them to us at:

15) Do we need permission from students to be included in the photo?

Yes — we ask that schools ensure they have appropriate permission for any students included in photos submitted. Some schools choose to capture a far-away drone image where individual students are not easily identifiable. Ultimately, we leave it up to each school and Great Kindness Challenge point of contact to ensure the photos they submit are approved for sharing and align with their school/district media release policies.

16) Can we include a caption with our submission?

Yes! Captions are optional, but we’d love it if you include a short caption describing your formation or the message behind it.

17) What happens to our photos if we don’t win?

Even if your school isn’t selected as a prize winner, your photos still matter! Submitted photos may be featured in a GKC online gallery to celebrate your creativity and inspire kindness around the world.

18) How will we know if we won?

We will notify all winners directly via email, and we’ll also announce the lucky winners in an upcoming GKC newsletter.