GSA RETURNS TO HYDE PARK

By SAMANTHA PRYDE

The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is one of the most dedicated clubs in the school.  President of Washingtonville’s GSA, Kaitlyn Metichecchia, describes the club as, “A safe place here in the school, open to all students, particularly those who are looking to create change.”  Their goal is to improve the school and community environment through education, while creating a safe space for all students regardless of sexuality or gender expression. 

SAMANTHA PRYDE FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Last year, the Washingtonville GSA hosted the fourth annual LGBTQAI+ Youth Conference for all of Orange County.  The turnout for this event was the largest ever seen and all of the members were proud to educate the community and other school’s GSAs about bullying and stereotyping. 

On top of hosting such an amazing conference, members also participated in “No Name Calling Week.”  All of the members created boxes which were supposed to be representations of themselves; all of the boxes were different and creative.  The outside of students’ boxes showed how they present themselves to the world, but the inside expressed how they really feel about themselves. 

Once the boxes were created, they were then sent to Hyde Park to be displayed in the FDR Presidential Library and Museum by GLSEN, (An organization dedicated to improve the education system that allows LGBTQ+ students to be bullied or left behind).  They also teamed up with Jewish Family Services of Orange County, which is an organization that welcomes all members across the county, and connects them to resources and services that can provide support and comfort.  Jewish Family Services explained that the point of the projects are so “...the local teens have a chance to work individually, with a group, and then have the experience of being part of something larger.”  Proud of their work, the club visited the museum to see their boxes on display. 

Masks to be displayed at Hyde Park.

This year, the members continued to participate in No Name Calling Week, but did something a little different-- they created masks instead of boxes.  Kaitlyn stated that “ the mask project was mainly focused on spreading kindness” but some members “...took it as an opportunity to express themselves through art.” 

Sophomore and second year member of the club, Jenna Saporito, was proud of both projects’ impacts because, “It was a good way for us, as a community, to convey how others impact the way we portray ourselves to the public eye with the stuff they say.”

On March 19th, the Washingtonville GSA will return to Hyde Park after school to admire their masks being displayed, along with anyone else in Orange County who would like to see them.  All of the members are proud to have worked on something so important to them and are excited to see what is in store for next year.