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Making Voices Heard Without Saying a Word

This Friday, April 15,  students around the country will be participating in the National Day of Silence in support of those who have been affected by bullying, name calling and general harassment of those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Throughout the school day, students who signed up to participate in the event here at Woodland are asked stay silent throughout the day.

Zyria Newman, a junior, explains that it is not mandatory.

“We promote that you stay silent throughout the day, but you don’t have to. We are not going to hunt you down,” said Newman.

Staying silent can be tricky, however, seeing as student will probably have questions for their teachers throughout the day and teachers might ask the student questions. It is important to remember that even though they are participating in this events, students still have obligations to the school and their learning.

“What we are asking is that teachers be considerate of the day, and respect that some students won’t be participating,” said Newman. “But if the teachers are doing an activity like a socratic seminar we are asking students to also have consideration.”  

The most important thing to remember that day is that it is about staying quiet in respect for those in the LGBTQ+ community, and by being silent students are bringing attention to the fact the people are bullied every day just because something as simple as who they love or who they are. On The Trevor Project website (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/) it says that teens in the LGBTQ+ community are 4 times as likely to commit suicide then people who do not fall into that community. One goal of The Day of Silence’s is to lower this rate by raising awareness for the bullying and harassment that those in that community face.

Laura Vitzoski, a junior, speaks to how important this day is her.

“Even though I myself am not a member of the community, I am an ally, It means so much to me because I have so many friends and family who are a part of this community,” said Vitzoski. “I know it means a lot to them just to have someone to stick up for them in situations like these.”

Laura is not alone in this thought. Over 30 kids at woodland are participating in the Day of Silence on Friday, as well as many more across the country.

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Murrae is a Staff Reporter who has spent one full semester at Hawk Headlines. She loves Harry Potter, and reading for pleasure.

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