May 21, 2010 - Thornlea - SharpSchool

Mrs. Wallace, Guidance Councillor and teacher involved with Thornlea‟s Empowered
Student Partnership (ESP) Committee, was the one who got the ball rolling at
Thornlea. She remembers, “a number of teachers came to me with an article about the
Day of Pink”. The idea of Thornlea going pink for a day to promote acceptance and
unity was enthusiastically approved by staff and the torch was then passed to the students.
Thornlea‟s ESP Committee commenced everything for the day, from spreading the
word to planning the „stand on the line‟ activity and group photo. But they couldn‟t have
pulled it off alone. After teaming up with the zealous Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and
members of Global Citizenship, the group began advertising the event by visiting
classes and making announcements. The message was clear. Don‟t watch in silence -
speak out against bullying and homophobia and act out against it by wearing pink.
“The people who came to our class gave a very motivating speech.” recalls Assani, inspired.
“I had never heard the story [about the Day of Pink] before.” Other methods the
three clubs used to raise awareness were a bulletin board, display case, bubble gum
count, „stand on the line‟ activity, selling pink T-shirts and a group photo of all participants
taken from the roof.
The „stand on the line‟ activity further showed the impact of bullying, discrimination and
homophobia on students‟ lives. The idea was to stand on the line in front of you if the
presenter said something that was true for you. Each question, beginning with “Have
you ever” drew many to stand on the line. This was carried out over the half dozen pink
lines throughout the school second period on the Thursday. Taylor Schopp, who asked
questions with her partner at one line, was pleased with the effect. “People in our line
were enthusiastic; even the janitors joined in,” she exclaimed, grinning at the memory.
Overall, Thornlea‟s first Day of Pink “was a success,” said Mrs. Wallace. “I had only
positive feedback from teachers.” As for the students, about 1 out of every 3 was wearing
pink on Thursday. “Both staff and students have said that there has never been as
much involvement in a „day‟ at Thornlea before.” Wallace adds with subtle pride.
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