Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2007, Page 197

Description:	Freshman Michael Dahlstrom stands onthe lawn in front of Indiana UniversitysHenry Radford Hope School of FineArts, participating in 2007s NationalDay of Silence with other BloomingtonHigh School South students and members of P.R.O.U.D. Some participatingmembers of the protest wore studentmade t-shirts bearing the quote fromMartin Luther King Jr, Our lives beginto end the day we become silent aboutthings that matter..O.U.D.A New Social ActionStory by Matthew Carson DayP.R.O.U.D. (People Respecting Our Unity and Diversity) works to unite all typesof students, said senior Gina Eastwood. Eastwood was the president of the successful clubafter having been a devoted member for four years. The club worked vigilantly to unite allstudents by creating a protective setting for students who were uncomfortable being openabout or questioning their sexuality, as well as straight students who were supportive ofthe cause.Were all just people. Its a mix of gay and straight students, but its also a club tohelp raise awareness of important causes, said junior .The club spent time each meeting discussing current events involving gay, lesbian,bisexual, transgender (GLBT), and other minority discrimination issues, as well as planningcommunity and charity-based activities. These included fundraisers which ranged frombake sales to the candy cane-grams which were messages attached to candy canes thatstudents could send to each other during classes. P.R.O.U.D. distributed all of its earningsto different organizations like UNICEF.The clubs devotion did not stop before leaving the doors of the school. One ofthe most important things we did this year was making so many connections with the community, Eastwood said. On April 18, 2007, many members attended a march in honor ofthe National Day of Silence, a silent protest against the discrimination of GLBT people. Themarch, which was originally hosted by Indiana Universitys Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA),wound all around IUs campus, gaining silent marchers and receiving positive honks frompassing drivers.I felt so accomplished, said vice president, junior Juliet Roberts about the march.In addition to P.R.O.U.D.s high standards for outward efforts, the club willforever hold the position of Indianas first High School GSA. P.R.O.U.D. The club and itssponsors, Mr. John Jeffries and Mrs. Carla Gardner, continued to be a positive influenceand created security in the education system for those who respect sexual diversity.Above: Kelsey Schaffer, a freshman, stands insilence as more students from Indiana Universitys Gay-Straight Alliance congregate behindher. Those participating in the protest vowedto stay silent from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.(p.(R,O.V.F>.rtCi>.J Activities
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/7721
Collection:	Bloomington High School South
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