Peabody High Launches 'Jay's Cookies' Campaign to Honor Bullied Student

The 'Recipe for Kindness' event celebrates the life and passions of 14-year-old Jason Bernard, who died by suicide in 2025.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of chocolate chip cookies, conceptually representing the 'Jay's Cookies' campaign to promote compassion and kindness in memory of a bullied student.The 'Jay's Cookies' campaign aims to honor the memory of a bullied student through the shared joy of baking and spreading kindness.Peabody Today

Students and staff at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School are taking part in the inaugural 'Jay's Cookies' campaign to honor the memory of Jason Bernard, a 14-year-old student who died by suicide in 2025 after facing bullying. The 'Recipe for Kindness' event from March 30 to April 10 celebrates Bernard's love of baking cookies and aims to promote kindness and compassion among the school community.

Why it matters

The tragic loss of Jason Bernard has deeply impacted the Peabody community, highlighting the devastating consequences of bullying. The 'Jay's Cookies' campaign is an effort to turn this tragedy into a movement for positive change, encouraging students to choose kindness and spread compassion.

The details

The 'Jay's Cookies' event is being coordinated through the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Culinary Arts program and sponsored by the Class of 2029. Students and staff are invited to participate in a Cookie Gram exchange, celebrating Bernard's passion for baking. The campaign is meant to honor his 'curiosity, ambition and big dreams' and serve as a 'reminder to every student to choose kindness every single day'.

  • The 'Jay's Cookies: A Recipe for Kindness' campaign runs from March 30 to April 10, 2026.
  • Jason Bernard died by suicide in May 2025.

The players

Cely Rosario

Jason Bernard's sister and founder of Jason's Legacy Foundation, which promotes his lasting impact and the importance of kindness.

Jason Bernard

A 14-year-old student at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School who died by suicide in 2025 after facing bullying.

Peabody Veterans Memorial High School

The high school where the 'Jay's Cookies' campaign is being organized and hosted.

Class of 2029

The class sponsoring the 'Jay's Cookies' event at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.

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What they’re saying

“A cup of laughter, one caring smile, a sprinkle of hope, and a whole lot of love —these are the ingredients we want our students to carry with them. Jay's Cookies is about more than just a sweet treat — it's a reminder to every student to choose kindness every single day.”

— Cely Rosario, Jason Bernard's sister and founder of Jason's Legacy Foundation

What’s next

Those who would like to participate in, donate to, or sponsor a 'Jay's Cookies: A Recipe for Kindness' event in their school or community can contact Cely Rosario at jasonslegacy14@gmail.com.

The takeaway

The 'Jay's Cookies' campaign is a heartfelt effort to honor the memory of Jason Bernard and turn a tragic loss into a movement for compassion and kindness within the Peabody community. By centering the event around Bernard's love of baking, the campaign aims to inspire students to choose kindness and spread positivity, serving as a lasting tribute to his life.