My Junior Year

My Junior Year When my junior year of high school rolled around, I was starting my first year at Levine, fresh out of David W. Butler High School, anxious and hoping for a better experience than what I received at my home school. I knew the Graduation Project process was about to begin in English class, and I had no idea what I wanted to focus the next 2-ish years of my life on. As I sat in Mrs. Tuttle’s room on the first day of the Graduation Project brainstorm, she asked each of us “what are you passionate about?” When she went around the classroom collecting responses and entries for Graduation Project topics, I realized most people’s topics and theses came from what career they wanted to pursue after college. I looked down at my desk and realized I had no idea what I wanted to be yet. That was the first roadblock I’ve faced thus far regarding the Graduation Project. I looked at myself and my life so far as a 17 year old kid and I tried to find something that I was passionate about and could make a difference with in my community. I went back in my memory and looked for some time when I felt something emotionally moved me. Granted there's a lot, but I settled upon my best friend’s suicide in 2015, a death that was entirely preventable. In today’s political climate especially, marginalized and oppressed minorities are constantly berated with hate and backlash for simply existing. Children of these minorities are no exception to the harassment and blatant ignorance that is all too prevalent in today’s society. My friend Ash was one of those children, a transgender male, and he paid the ultimate price. He settled a debt that was never his to begin with, and while I sat in the back row of pews at his funeral, I decided that I would never let another child feel as alone and as low as he did the moments before he took his own life. I have decided to use this mandatory Graduation Project time to give back to my community, and the community that once was his, too. An out and transitioning transgender man myself now, I feel it is my duty to create better and safer environments for children that were just like him and I. Upon talking to Mrs. Van Lauwe, I realize that Levine Middle College High School lacks a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). I plan on pitching the idea of starting LMCHS first ever GSA as my product for my Graduation Project. I feel that it would provide a space and resources for LGBTQ youth of any kind and on any journey, to have somewhere to go and someone to talk to instead of turning to self destructive or isolating activities. While I’m not quite sure yet what I want to do and what career I want to pursue, I know one goal in my life that will never change- that it is my duty and the least I can do for Ash to keep fighting for inclusivity, love, support, and creating a safer and kinder space for both LGBTQ and straight youth alike. This Graduation Project will be an extension of my heart and soul, and I can not wait to show everyone the full extent of my passion and drive.