Walking through the hallways today, students noticed that everything was a bit more quiet, while all the more colorful. Students that participated in the Day of Silence were clad in rainbow bandannas and did not speak, in order to represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who have been silenced due to bullying and prejudice. At the end of the day, the students gathered in the courtyard, and yelled, to end the silence.
Douglas Raigosa ’16, a member of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Staples chose to participate to show solidarity. “It’s always such a great experience, and you show support for the LGBT community.” The community usually picks a day in April to have the Day of Silence, although Staples chose to have it in May.
Claudine Brantely ’14 supports for LGBT as well. “I’m doing the day of silence to bring awareness to those who are unable to be themselves,” she said.
Many choose to be silent on this day to support friends or family members who have struggled because of their orientation, such as Sonia Klein ’16, and Hannah Simons ’16. Sonia has a family friend who’s faced many difficulties because she is gay. “Things were really hard for her,” she said.
After the anticipation was building all day, at 2:15 p.m. in the courtyard, it was finally time to break the silence. Students yelled at the top of their lungs. After screaming, everyone felt relieved. “It felt really good,” said Olivia Consoli ’16.
Principal John Dodig reflected on the Day of Silence, saying that he thinks it should be expanded outside of the LGBT community. Dodig said Staples should have a day of silence to represent everyone who is afraid of being themselves, for whatever reason.
