Every day people are talking about cyber bullying. Whether it be a teen suicide, a court case, or someone taking a stand, cyber bullying can’t seem to get off of our minds. One student, though, is trying to make a difference: @OronoSwag.

The Twitter account, @OronoSwag, started in July of 2012, has strived to promote positivity by Tweeting shout outs to OHS students and faculty. The account, which remains anonymous, has Tweeted more than 265 times since its creation.

The account managers, graduated seniors from the class of 2013, started the account to “give people compliments … because everyone loves to get complimented.” This year’s manager, a senior, was given the account right before the start of this school year.

“We chose the current @OronoSwag because we wanted someone who showed good leadership qualities and was genuinely nice,” one of the anonymous account managers said.

Student reaction to @OronoSwag has been extremely positive. Junior Abby Chargo was mentioned by @OronoSwag in a tweet wishing her luck on her knee surgery.

The tweet “made me feel good,” Chargo said. “Getting a lot of support from the community was great and it showed that people cared and made me feel less alone in the process.”

@OronoSwag is just another example of why Orono is a national school district of character.

“It is definitely a good thing for our community,” senior Ben Turnham said. Turnham has been called out on multiple occasions.

The creation of the account surprised Principal David Benson – in a good way. “I have a philosophy that if you are looking for positive things, you will find positive things, and when this kind of thing happens it gives people a reason to look for the good, which ultimately changes culture in the right way,” Benson said.

@OronoSwag remains anonymous “because I believe that by staying anonymous, it helps the validity of each compliment that I send out,” said the current account manager.

“I think that it is good that
@OronoSwag is anonymous because I think there would be a bias if it wasn’t,” Chargo said.

The account manager selected students who he or she thought deserved a shout out due to a random act of kindness or because of their good character. “I want everyone’s input, though. I can’t see every good person, so I really encourage people to direct message me on Twitter [about] someone who deserves a shout out and why,” Swag said.

Students aren’t the only ones who can help out. @OronoSwag encourages teachers, faculty and community members to direct message the account about others in the Orono community that deserve a shout out as well.

As for the future of @OronoSwag? “When I graduate, I want to hand the account down to someone who is really good at communicating with others and can see the good in other people as well. I have some people in mind.”

Once @OronoSwag receives his or her diploma, the account will be given to the next manager, but he or she isn’t sure if they will reveal their name. “Keeping my name anonymous makes sure that those getting called out feel special and I don’t want to ruin that.”