GHS Crosswalks/ Unity Inclusion
At the beginning of my junior year in high school, I was asked by one of my teachers and mentors to join an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) peer leader training program. At the time I was not fully aware of what the program was but because my teacher asked, I said yes. Early in the training, I found myself asking what it meant to be part of this program, what difference I could make, and who I could help by being part of the peer leadership program. It was not until day two of the program that I realized the biggest impact I could have on my peers would be to make a visual representation of inclusiveness while walking into our school. After a long year of email correspondences to and from the principal and superintendent of my school district, my plan has finally come to the point where I was able to present my proposal to the school committee in December where they agreed to support my project. Because the school district’s motto is “everyone belongs' ', I have created artwork to welcome everyone into the high school through our crosswalks. The idea is that the first crosswalk will be painted to represent the LGBTQ+ community flag and the second will have a flag to represent each nation in symbolizing our unity. The third flag will represent the many clubs and organizations at Gloucester High. I am confident that my work on this project will pave the way for more of my peers to feel confident in who they are and confirm that everyone belongs.