On one recent afternoon, as a few dark clouds hung overhead and a misty rain fell, students at Lake Forest Elementary held a funeral. The funeral was staged to say good-bye and forever bury all the things students believe they “can’t” do.

All of Lake Forest’s kindergarten through fifth-grade students generated their list of “I can’ts.” The lists were dropped into a coffin and buried. Principal Ajluni gave the eulogy to forever ban the negative words from the school’s campus. Students were given the message that “I can” are words used by winners. Students chanted “I can,” “yes, I can” at the gravesite. The students waved good-bye to the “I can’t” notes but not a tear was shed.

The entire school has said good-bye and buried negative words that are not allowed in the building. The ceremony was held in the courtyard next to a small garden. The tombstone says “R.I.P. Lake Forest I can’ts,” and will be a constant reminder to students that the words “I can’t” will no longer be accepted. The words will be replaced with “I can,” “I will,” and “I’ll try no matter what.”