Written by Grace Kenneally ’18

There are four questions people ask when they hear about Hebron’s GSTA, The Bridge:

1. Do I have to be gay to be in it? Absolutely not! GSTA stands for Gay Straight Transgender Alliance, and the GSTA includes people of every identity; you do not have to be in the LGBTQ+ community to join.

2. What exactly does the GSTA do? We bring awareness to the Hebron community. During meetings we discuss such things as how Hebron handles acceptance, how to use inclusive language and avoid slurs, and global perspectives on LGBTQ+ rights. We attend events around the state and talk about these issues with others our age. The GSTA also organizes events around campus such as Ally Week, Day of Silence, National Coming Out Day, and many more.

3. When do you meet? We meet every Tuesday at 12:45 in the Cohen Room. Bring your lunch–all are welcome!

4. Do I have to be at every meeting to be fully committed? Nope. However, we would love to see as often as possible. If you don’t want to give up your lunch, or you have other commitments on Tuesdays, we host many events year-round that will allow you to participate and show your support.

The Hebron GSTA is a great way to show support for friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a fun, friendly, and inclusive group. We believe we should all be better educated about these topics so that we can stand up for others at Hebron.

Written by Peyton Spurr ’19.

Throughout our life we are told to step out of our comfort zones. Many people do not accept this challenge; however, I did. On a brisk September day a few empowering women and I stepped out of our comfort zones to hike a difficult mountain. As a fundraiser for Go! Malawi, we hiked nine miles up Mt. Monadnock to represent the challenges young girls just like me face.

In Malawi, public education is not free for girls after 8th grade. Their choices at that point are to find a way to pay for school or get married. I believe they are still so young and should be able to have the opportunity to continue their education. That is why I took up the challenge.

Attending a private high school and having the chance to pursue my dreams made me realize that I should help make that dream a reality for someone else. Who better than a girl my age with the same passions? I am supporting a girl named Chrissy. She is 16 years old, like me, and is enthusiastic about biology, just like me.  I am now fundraising $450 dollars to support Chrissy’s dreams.

Had I known I was the only hiker under the age of 40, I might have reconsidered the trip up Mt. Monadnock. Instead I spent twelve hours bonding with these women (and discovering that teachers do indeed have lives!). I stepped out of my comfort zone and accomplished a 9-mile hike with a group women who now know my life story–and I did it all for Chrissy.