`I think you're beautiful,' student video praised by State Board of Education

Posted Date: 07/15/2021

A student-produced five-minute video stopped State Board of Education members in their tracks on Wednesday.

The video by Jacqui Ortega, a student at Topeka USD 501’s Highland Park High School, showed the reactions of classmates and teachers when Ortega simply said to them, “I’m going around the school filming things that I find beautiful, and I think you’re beautiful.”

Some students came close to tears, some laughed, others seem a little embarrassed. But all showed multiple emotions that welled up quickly when told “I think you’re beautiful.”

Ortega said she got the idea from watching another video and thought it would be perfect to apply to her classmates because she wanted to show the beauty of Highland Park. She said some students later told her that no one had ever told them that they’re beautiful.

Board members gushed with praise after watching the video. State Board Chairman Jim Porter, R-Fredonia, said of such a positive message, “You may have saved someone’s life.”

Topeka 501 Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson said Ortega is a quiet, strong leader at Highland Park.

Ortega, who is a rising senior and will serve this upcoming school year as student body president, participates in numerous extracurricular activities. She plans to go to college and study psychology and music.

Here is a link to Ortega’s video.