Minarets’ first annual No Name Calling Week presented by GLSEN and the Minarets LSA/GSA club was a very fun and eventful week with many activities and students coming together to appreciate one another. It was a very big success and the events throughout the week connected students and promoted a whole lot of positivity.
Seniors Mika Garaffa and Lauren Childers created posters for the event, and these posters were put all over the school in order to promote the week.
On Tuesday, the theme was “Challenging Assumptions.” The activity for Tuesday revolved around sticky notes, where students wrote down a name they have been called before and replaced it with something more positive.
Prior to the activity, the students also signed pledges presented by GLSEN that seal a promise to work actively against bullying.
On day 2, participating students had lots of fun with the “I Am” art activity. Students were given papers that said the words “I Am” on them and were prompted to write and draw things in regard to themselves.
Senior Mika Garaffa, president of the Minarets LSA/GSA club and one of the main organizers of the event had a great time expressing himself at the activity, “I came out to the entire room of students. It felt nice with all the support I got. I am finally me and nothing can change that.”
For the last two days, the students watched movies provided by GLSEN and had a potluck and just enjoyed being in an environment that was inclusivity positive and bully-free. This event was truly an amazing experience and a success on behalf of the LSA/ GSA club. Minarets is looking forward to present this week every year from this year forward. If you’ll be attending Minarets next year, come join us for No Name Calling Week 2020!