On Valentine’s Day 2025 over 3000 flowers were delivered to every female student at 19 different schools across Utah, thanks to the Dexton’s Light Project and the many volunteers who donated time and money to help make it happen.
The Obray family carries on the legacy of Dexton with Dexton’s Light. The world needs your light!
Dexton Hutchings Obray was only 14 years old when he took his own life in October of 2022. Dexton was a beacon of light and happiness, spreading love and joy everywhere he went. When Dexton noticed some of the girls in his school didn’t receive anything for Valentine’s Day, he took it upon himself to make sure it would never happen again. With the help of his parents, Dexton began bringing enough flowers to school each Valentine’s Day to be sure each and every one of his female schoolmates received one.
Now, along with a campaign against negative social media influences that led to his death, Dexton’s parents Brittney and Karl Obray carry on his loving tradition. Dexton’s flower project is meant to help spread the light just like he did for all around him,” said his mother Brittney. “I was worried about how the young men will be able to feel this love too, but I focused on Dexton’s story. The way he felt that day he handed out his flowers, that smile, how proud he was to bring joy to so many, the happiness he had, that light that shined so bright that day. That’s what our project does, gives all the young men a chance to be the light, to be the ones who feel this honor and happiness to bring happiness and joy to someone who needed it that day, to show how much their light affects others – to know what it’s like to spread their light and love.
“Our goal is to spread awareness and bring hope to our youth. We are so thankful the schools have allowed us to bring this to them and our hope is to spread even farther next year. Dexton would be so proud, and with every rose given he’s smiling down so happy watching as this all comes together. Remember to be the light for others. Times are hard but only for a moment. You matter more than you are led to believe. Put down your phones and focus on the love and world around you! Find that love and light around you. Keep pushing forward, your life has more meaning here on earth! Choose to stay.”
