Small Act of Kindness, Big Difference

If you attended the South Second Grade Restaurant April 2, you helped teach students about more than economics and what it takes to run a restaurant. You helped them learn about empathy, compassion and giving back.

“When we began planning for the Second Grade Restaurant and thinking about what charity we wanted to partner with for a donation, we knew we wanted to do something that was close to our hearts,” South Teacher Terri Beeman said. “We decided on donating the tips from the restaurant to research for DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) brain tumors. Our second grade class unfortunately lost a sweet friend, Darcy, over the summer to this. We felt that this would be a great way to give back and honor her memory.”

Darcy DeWaard was assigned to Beeman’s class. Just weeks before school started, she was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor, and she didn’t make it to the first day of school. 

“Everyone has worked together to really keep us included,” said Ashley DeWaard, Darcy’s mom. “We’ve come to Breakfast with Buddies. They’ve included Darcy on the class shirt — her butterfly. They invited us to the restaurant and had us a table.”

“It’s very much a big community here,” added Joshua DeWaard, Darcy’s dad. 

It was at the South Second Grade Restaurant where the DeWaards met Ozark resident Dior Toynton and her daughter Maeleigh. Maeleigh, a 2024 Ozark High School graduate, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor in late 2020. The family has since started an Ozark chapter of The Cure Starts Now. 

“It rocked our world,” Dior Toynton said. “We’re very fortunate that Maeleigh was able to survive it. When we were on the other side of things, because so many people were good to us, I felt like the best way I could give back was to open up a chapter. I don’t feel like enough people talk about pediatric cancer or brain cancer. It’s not as rare as people think. This isn’t the only family I’ve met in Ozark.” 

The second graders worked hard to raise $700 at their restaurant serving hot dogs, chips and cookies to community members. The restaurant is designed as part of the economics unit and gives students hands-on, real-world experience.

When the second graders presented the oversized check to the DeWaards and Toyntons on April 27, Beeman asked the students what organization they were donating tips to. One student, wearing a blue Ozark South t-shirt with a tiger and Darcy’s name on it, yelled out “for Darcy!”

The students may not realize it, but Darcy is teaching them lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. She is teaching them to give and help others, “even those you don’t know,” one student said. She is teaching them the importance of empathy, one of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate words. She is teaching them to be compassionate and that no act of kindness is too small.

"This connection made the experience feel even more real and relevant for our school community."

- South Teacher Terri Beeman

“This connection made the experience feel even more real and relevant for our school community,” Beeman said. “It helped many see that this cause reaches close to home, and it reinforced for our students that their efforts were part of something larger — supporting not just their friend's memory, but also others in their own community and beyond.”

And through it all, the students are raising awareness for a very important cause.

“I think it’s wonderful to have a local chapter for the community here,” Joshua DeWaard said about Show-Me A Cure. “We had 11 days from when we found out to when she passed away. There’s a lot of information and a lot of moving parts that someone who has been through this can really step up and guide us and help us understand it.”

Beeman said Darcy was a friend to everyone she met, her smile lighting up every room she walked into. 

“This was an opportunity to honor her in a positive and meaningful way, and it allowed us to celebrate the kindness that she showed each and every day,” Beeman said. “It also allowed our students to see and understand that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference.”

Learn more about Maeleigh’s journey and the Missouri Chapter of The Cure Starts Now, Show-Me A Cure here.