Students were welcomed back to school on Sept. 3 with a new rainbow walkway at Delta Secondary.
The project, spearheaded by teachers Anna Munns, Jasmine Jassal and Lauren Sortome, who help run the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club, is several years in the making.
Grade 12 student Elizabeth Graham and GSA Club student member said a rainbow walkway in such a prominent place really sets the tone for the type of school that this is.
“It’s a large, brightly coloured reminder for queer, trans and questioning students coming into the school that they are supported and accepted here for who they are, which is something that can be quite literally lifesaving,” said Graham. “It also serves as a friendly reminder for anyone who may need it that bigotry, on the other hand, is not welcome at DSS.
“For a while, GSA members worked hard to chip away at the cost of the walkway by selling pronoun pins and baked goods in the cafeteria, until Delta Pride Society (DPS) generously contributed $2,000. Additional funds were raised through my Capstone project. I organized a concert at the school, which I named Rock and Rainbows with performances by talented local artists who donated their time.”
On the Delta Pride Society’s Facebook page, a message was posted saying, what a beautiful way to welcome our teens back to Delta Secondary School.
“We are so proud of all the youth who worked to raise your voices and fundraise for this to come to fruition! We are so grateful for our SOGI and GSA leaders who see these kids, understand their need to be embraced and welcomed, and for all to learn to lean into greater empathy and kindness for one another! DPS is honoured to have been a part of this project!”
-with files from Delta School District
