TAMPA — Plant City High School senior Gracie Garner has taken on the role of encourager and mentor for some of her fellow female students.

She decided to do that after her freshman year at the school.

Garner was homeschooled until high school, and attending the school with thousands of students was quite an eye opener. She felt many of her fellow students were overwhelmed.

What You Need To Know

  • Gracie Garner was home schooled until 9th grade at Plant City High School

  • Last year Garner started an annual "Bright Night" event to encourage and mentor younger girls

  • Garner provides advice and encouragement throughout the year

  • Want to nominate an Everyday Hero? Click here

Garner said she had a very strong support network as a young person.

“I was fortunate to have a community behind me in my corner to celebrate my happy times and help me through some hard times,” she said. “As I got older I realized not every incoming freshman class had that.”

That’s why Garner decided to start an annual event for incoming freshman girls called “Bright Night.”

The event features advice from women Garner trusts and admires. There was a dance and prizes and a lantern release. “I just wanted to give freshmen girls the opportunity to come and learn some tools to get through high school.

Because there are some good things and bad things,” she said.

The "Bright Night" event features advice from women Gracie Garner trusts and admires. (Spectrum Bay News 9)

Garner works to be a mentor and friend for the younger girls in the school. While talking to some of them she shared some of her wisdom.

“One small act of kindness," she sares. "One purposeful smile can just brighten up everyone’s day.”

Agricultural teacher Julie Kimbrell appreciates Garner’s attempts at leadership at the school by showing girls to take a positive approach to high school life.

“They don’t have to wear a half shirt or post negative things on social media to fit in,” said Kimbrell. “She’s teaching them to pave their own way, but in a positive manner.”

Sophomore Maddie Hardwick said she has traded countless text message with Garner and said she is encouraging and supportive.

“It’s nice just to know that you have someone that’s going through it with you. You don’t have to go through everything alone," Hardwick said.

Garner said this year’s Bright Night also included girls from Durant High School and Strawberry Crest High School. She hopes to add more high schools after she graduates.