During the week of Jan. 8-13, the Hope Squad held a Hope Week with activities every day to encourage students to choose alternatives to killing themselves. The culmination of the week was a Hope Walk. Students walked, in 10-degree weather, from Riverton High School to Riverton City Hall where Mayor Bill Applegarth addressed them.

"Hope Week created a ripple effect and was very effective," said Aimee Bills, 17, who said the theme was "I Choose Life." "I think Hope Squad is part of Riverton High School's foundation."

Bryson Ewell, 18, said suicide is very personal to him, because two of his friends have killed themselves, and he attempted it suicide himself three times. He doesn't know how much of a difference the Hope Squad has made to the school, but he says it's made a difference to him, and that's enough.

"For me, seeing the end result isn't all that important," he said. "Having a beginning and seeing how it affects me, to know that I have a part in it, that's all that matters for me."

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