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May 21, 2010 - Thornlea - SharpSchool

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Mrs. Wallace, Guidance Councillor and teacher involved with <strong>Thornlea</strong>‟s Empowered<br />

Student Partnership (ESP) Committee, was the one who got the ball rolling at<br />

<strong>Thornlea</strong>. She remembers, “a number of teachers came to me with an article about the<br />

Day of Pink”. The idea of <strong>Thornlea</strong> going pink for a day to promote acceptance and<br />

unity was enthusiastically approved by staff and the torch was then passed to the students.<br />

<strong>Thornlea</strong>‟s ESP Committee commenced everything for the day, from spreading the<br />

word to planning the „stand on the line‟ activity and group photo. But they couldn‟t have<br />

pulled it off alone. After teaming up with the zealous Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and<br />

members of Global Citizenship, the group began advertising the event by visiting<br />

classes and making announcements. The message was clear. Don‟t watch in silence -<br />

speak out against bullying and homophobia and act out against it by wearing pink.<br />

“The people who came to our class gave a very motivating speech.” recalls Assani, inspired.<br />

“I had never heard the story [about the Day of Pink] before.” Other methods the<br />

three clubs used to raise awareness were a bulletin board, display case, bubble gum<br />

count, „stand on the line‟ activity, selling pink T-shirts and a group photo of all participants<br />

taken from the roof.<br />

The „stand on the line‟ activity further showed the impact of bullying, discrimination and<br />

homophobia on students‟ lives. The idea was to stand on the line in front of you if the<br />

presenter said something that was true for you. Each question, beginning with “Have<br />

you ever” drew many to stand on the line. This was carried out over the half dozen pink<br />

lines throughout the school second period on the Thursday. Taylor Schopp, who asked<br />

questions with her partner at one line, was pleased with the effect. “People in our line<br />

were enthusiastic; even the janitors joined in,” she exclaimed, grinning at the memory.<br />

Overall, <strong>Thornlea</strong>‟s first Day of Pink “was a success,” said Mrs. Wallace. “I had only<br />

positive feedback from teachers.” As for the students, about 1 out of every 3 was wearing<br />

pink on Thursday. “Both staff and students have said that there has never been as<br />

much involvement in a „day‟ at <strong>Thornlea</strong> before.” Wallace adds with subtle pride.<br />

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