On Monday, April 19, students participated in a national day of silence organized by student organization GASP (Gay and Straight People).

The National Day of Silence is a time when students and teachers take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) students and their supporters. This day brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, and now hundreds of thousands of students participate to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

 

This year, the Day of Silence is dedicated to a boy named Carl Walker-Hoover. On April 6, 2009, Carl Walker-Hoover took his life after enduring constant bullying, including anti-LGBT bullying. Though Carl did not identify as gay, his story is a tragic reminder that anti-LGBT bullying and harassment affects all students. Carl would have turned 12 on the 2009 Day of Silence.

 

After spending the day in silence, students gathered at the "Big H" to break the silence at 3:30pm.