Kimball High School sophomore Lexi Polinder is turning the tragic loss of a friend and teammate into a way to help others.
It was July 12, 2021 when Polinder's friend, Sophie Wieland, took her own life.
Wieland, 14, was active in a number of school activities and played soccer with Polinder.
Polinder, 15, says losing her friend and wanting to advocate for others pushed her to become a part of Sophie's Squad, which was formed in the wake of Wieland's death. Sophie's Squad has become a place to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, with a focus on student-athletes.
"Sophie was a student-athlete and played a number of sports. With the growing number of suicides and mental health issues relations within the collegiate world, I think it really needs to take the forefront right now," Polinder said. "You have to worry about the student before the athlete, or you will lose both."
As a way to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, Polinder hand-makes and sells semicolon bracelets. The semicolon is often used to bring awareness to mental health and remind others that they aren't alone.
The semicolon is also a reminder to people that their story isn't over.
"It's your way of remembering to keep going, to keep moving, and to keep pushing on," added Polinder. "Bracelets are also in Morse code, so only the person who wears it knows what it means and it doesn't stand out."
So far, she has raised over $1,300 by selling the semicolon bracelets, which she sells for $2 each. Polinder donated $1,000 and used the remaining $300 to put into more projects.
"I made suicide prevention signs that you can hang on bridges or poles. They all have crisis numbers on them that people can call. It's kind of whatever money I make goes back into doing more projects for prevention."
Polinder was recently recognized by USA Soccer Women's Soccer as the winner of the 2022 SheBelieves Hero contest. SheBelieves is a movement created to inspire and encourage girls and women of all ages to accomplish their goals and dreams, athletic or otherwise.
In the award announcement, Polinder was recognized for not only her work with Sophie's Squad, but for starting a Suicide Awareness Chapter at Kimball High School.
"I grew up watching the SheBelieves Hero award get handed out to multiple other kids, so this year, with all the work I've been doing, I figured one day I'd just apply," she said. "I applied one day during a 10 minute spot in school."
The large field of applicants was narrowed down to five finalists, including Polinder. Public votes counted for 50 percent of the weighted total with the panelists’ scores accounting for the other 50 percent.
"I was driving and got an email alert on my Apple Watch," Polinder said. "I handed my phone back to my sister, who then handed it to my dad because I can't drive alone yet. He told me to pull off the road, so I did and turned on my caution lights. That's when told me that I had won."
In the award announcement, SheBelieves Hero also recognized Polinder for starting her own Suicide Awareness Chapter at Kimball High School. The group will be based on the Green Bandana Project, a mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaign that uses backpacks and bandanas to support peers in getting help.
"I was very open with my story and how we lost Sophie," Polinder said. "There was a suicide in a local school and some students felt comfortable enough to ask me for resources, what to do, and how to handle some of these situations. It was cool to see that with being open about what happened that I am able to help others."
As the winner of this year’s contest, Polinder will receive complimentary travel, tickets, and a VIP experience to one of the U.S. Women’s National Team matches in June.
Polinder's award isn't the first for someone with Sophie's Squad. Gabbie Hughes, a senior forward at UMD, who helped coach Sophie, was a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award and the Patty Kazmaier award.
Hughes and her UMD team hosted a Sophie's Squad game this past season in Duluth.
Now, with the momentum of Sophie's Squad, Polinder wants to do even more as she prepares for her junior year of high school next fall.
"I would really like to get a stronger chapter together at my high school before I leave," she said. "I really want to do different types of projects that work on suicide prevention. Recently I've done laminated signs and then I did a little project called Project I am Enough, telling people they are good enough and they are worthy."
If you or someone you know is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 800-273-8255. The toll free service is available 24/7.