Each month the publications department will be highlighting a club here at GHS to put a spotlight on the unique accomplishments of each club. For the first club, we will be highlighting GSA. This club is open to anyone who wants to create a safe environment for students regardless of gender and sexuality. As a club, they aim to support students that identify on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and welcome allies to join as well. This club is sponsored by Art teacher, Mrs. T, and English teacher, Ms. AB.
At the end of each year, the club reflects a leadership council to help organize the efforts of the club and lead the meetings. Sofie Lin ‘27, Macklan Murphy ‘27, Casey Haugh ‘27, Kennedy Roddick ‘26, Andy Issleb ‘28 and Liliana Asta ‘26 are the leadership council members for the ‘25 – ‘26 school year. They meet before each meeting and plan the agenda to go over at their monthly meetings. At the beginning of the school year, they set a mission statement for themselves to serve as an outline to how they would run the club. “Through meetings, we aim to support each other, learn from each other, problem solve our school specific issues, be involved in our community, and have fun!” said Asta. Having this mission statement makes it clear to the officers what they want their club to look and feel like in order to make everyone feel seen and heard.
As for the members of the club, Mrs. T shared how she believed the members emulate the values of GSA. “Memebers go out of their way to make sure others feel included, I often I catch them calling out classmates behavior and overall, they are all just good, decent people.” This conveys how the members feel empowered through GSA to make everyone feel safe and included. They are not intimated or afraid to stand up for what they believe is right and are determined to stand by these beliefs no matter what.
GSA also consistently puts together social nights for members and anyone who just wants to pop in and hangout. Some events they have done are gingerbread houses , pumpkin painting, haunted house, tye dye, haunted ghost tour, movie night, pride picnic, close pins, day of silence, share the love, and national coming out day. When Roddick was asked what her favorite event was without hesitation she said, “Easily our tent at Pride Picnic, it’s so cool to see everyone come together for a cause of just accepting love in all forms and having a safe space to celebrate our differences.”
GSA is not associated with any specific organization but Mrs. T and Ms. AB relies on info from Illinois safe schools alliance to help guide the efforts of the club. But other than that, GSA is an original club here at GHS and is always welcoming new members. Don’t be afraid to branch out and join GSA today!
