News and Upcoming Events
June 2004 - 6 members of NHP's GSA went on a camping trip to Lake Isabella. The first day was very windy, causing major tent problems, but the last day and a half were perfect. Check out the photos.
May 2004 - 10 members of NHP's GSA, along with students from the school's Leadership class, went to the beautiful Ojai Foundation for 2 days of councils, a ropes course, and other team building activities. Check out photos of this life changing experience.
April 2004 - NHP's Gay-Straight Alliance, along with about half of the students at the school, participated in the National Day of Silence on April 21. Approximately 30 students and several teachers out of the school's enrollment of 105 took a "day-long vow of silence to protest the discrimination and harassment -- in effect, the silencing -- experienced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and their allies." Another 25 or so students and teachers wore tags that said, "I Support the Day of Silence". A few days after the Day of Silence, the GSA, with the support of the school's administration, organized a Breaking the Silence party in the NHP theater. Day of Silence participants shared in refreshements and got to hear the band Ferment play a full set of their music. GSA president Summer Quatier gave a short speech reminding everyone what the Day of Silence was all about and the need to keep fighting for equal rights and respect.
March 2004 - An entertaining and inspiring night to remember!! The 2nd GSA Cabaret Night was a great artistic, financial, and political success, with around 100 people in attendance, including performers, NHP students, fomer students, teacher and fomer teachers, friends, parents, siblings, and a few curious spectators. Check out some some photos. The GSA will now turn its attention to the Day of Silence on April 21 and the upcoming GSA trip (destination still to be determined). At last count, the NHP GSA has 16 members out of a school population of about 110, and many more student supporters who help with various events and activities.
February 2004 - The NHP GSA continues to grow and keep busy. GSA members have gone to several tapings of the Elin Show at NBC Studios in Burbank. The Thursday Bake Sale in the courtyard during nutrition time has become a school tradition thanks Courtney's effort and commitment. The group is also organizing another Karaoke night in the NHP theater for early March. The big upcoming event is the GSA Cabaret to take place on March 26 in the NHP Theater. This promises to be a great evening not to be missed!
November 2003 - At last count, the NHP GSA has 15 members and is the happening activist and support organization for students at the school. The club's activities so far this year have included a Karaoke Night, a Saturday night sleepover, weekly Thursday bake sales at school, planning meetings and councils (alternating weekly), and a "Teach the Teachers" program. The GSA will also present a speaker and will perform a short skit at the Accept and Respect Festival at NHP on Friday, December 5. Many more activities are planned, including another Karaoke Night, maybe a talent show cabaret, participation in the Day of Silence in April, a weekend outing to the Ojai Foundation for council and a ropes course, and a trip to either Pismo Beach or San Francisco in May. Stay tuned for more updates...
November 2003 - The GSA hosted a Karaoke Night (see photos) at the North Hills Prep School theater on Friday, November 14, 2003. More than 25 students, teachers and family members had a great time, some amazing singing talent had a chance to be heard, and money was raised for the GSA's general fund.
August 2003 - The GSA participated in a Teach the Teachers program during teacher's orientation week before the start of the 2003-2004 school year. GSA members suggested ways for teachers to handle a variety of situations in the classroom that involved homophobia and other forms of verbal abuse, threats and general intolerance. The program went well and hopefully the teachers learned something from the presentation.
May 2003 - The GSA trip to San Francisco over Memorial Day Weekend was great! The five students who went had a great time. Check out a few photos from the trip.
April 2003 - Six students in the GSA participated in a Parent Forum at the school on April 30. The parent turnout was disappointing, but in other respects the forum was great and it gave the students an opportunity to talk about their experiences.
April 2003 - The GSA held a very successful fundraising Car Wash in April. The money raised went to the San Francisco Trip fund.
February 2003 - Check out photographs of our First Ever NHP GSA Cabaret held at our school on February 28, 2003. More than 20 current and former NHP students performed and exhibited art at this tremendously entertaining and successful fundraising and consciousness-raising event. Not bad for a school of only 120 students!
Mission Statement
We are here to educate and inform people about homosexuality and reach the goal of stopping homophobia at our school. We do what we can to educate and inform people in order to prevent homophobia, verbal abuse, and physical harassment. By discussing all these matters as a group, we talk about the issues that happen in each others’ lives. We help those in need of support and try to make their environments safer. We work to help those in the closet avoid isolation, depression, or suicide. By doing these things, we know we will achieve success and create greater acceptance.
“It’s better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.”
Contact: gsa@northhillsprep.com