His vision for valor December 2021 - Student Press
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his vision
for valor
Issue 17
16 December 2021
features
17
“I stand
across
the street
over there
because
nobody
else does,”
Gavin
Moody ‘22
said.
turn the page
to keep reading
by: Kira Zizzo
One student is taking a stand
against Valor Christian High
School’s treatment of LGBTQ+
staff and students.
PC: K. Zizzo
T
he thick, vibrant, garnet-tinged rims of Gavin reported. Benner resigned from her position in 2020.
Moody ‘22’s glasses envelop lenses, reflecting the Moody found out about this controversial situation
transient glint of car headlights and fluctuating during a current events assignment as a part of Kate
hues of traffic lights as he stands on the sidewalk across Herrin’s English class. This assignment instructed Moody
from Valor Christian High School (VCHS), protesting to find a Colorado news, national news, and world news.
their treatment of LGBTQ+ staff members and students, He learned that VCHS was awarded the National Blue
particularly Inoke Tonga and Lauren Benner. Ribbon by the United States Department of Education
In a recent social media post, former VCHS volleyball (USDE).
coach, Inoke Tonga shared how he was called to by school “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes
administrators, forced to either denounce being a gay public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
man or leave his position by school administrators Aug. based on their overall academic excellence or their progress
2021. School administrators labeled his homosexuality as in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups,” the
“a danger”, according to the Denver Post. Tonga resigned USDE website said.
and his story made national news, generating a dialogue Moody felt that VCHS was undeserving of this award
surrounding LGBTQ+ discrimination in schools. due to the school’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
Following Tonga’s experience with VCHS, numerous “The federal United States government rewarded
students came forward along with Lauren Benner, a this school that fired two coaches for being gay and they
former women’s lacrosse coach at VCHS, who shared a received awards for it. That’s not right. I think that’s
similar story. She was also called to a meeting with school bullshit,” Moody said.
administrators, with the belief she would be receiving a Every day after school, he stands on the sidewalk facing
raise. Instead, they asked her if she was dating a woman. VCHS, holding a sign and protesting by himself against
School administrators subsequently told her that if she the forced resignation of two LGBTQ+ coaches and
wanted to pursue a relationship with another woman, it mistreatment of LGBTQ+ students.
wouldn’t align with VCHS’s culture statement, 9NEWS
Issue 17
18 December 2021
features
19
“I stand across the street over sign,” Moody said. “Since I come
there because nobody else does,” out here every day, I just hold up
Moody said. “I’m bisexual. I see the sign, I have been flipped off
people in my community, who I every single day. I’ve been told to
love, being discriminated against go home and that nobody cares.
because of something that’s I’ve had entire cars flip me off and
completely arbitrary and out of received a lot of frowns.”
their control. I can do something Moody views these negative
about it by standing there for 30 actions in a humorous light,
minutes.” finding irony in this situation.
Moody’s moved his work “These are the people who
schedule so he can protest at the hold up the moral high ground,
time that the VCHS school day they’re like ‘we are the people who
ends, ensuring his will get into heaven
message reaches a “Just in because we tell
larger audience. He people holding up
plans to protest year- being outside signs to go to hell’ I
round, or until his of Valor for just think it’s funny.”
goals for furthering In comparison
support for the
a couple with VCHS, Moody
LGBTQ+ of months, finds Rock Canyon
community are met. High School
“My end goal is
I’ve received (RCHS) to be
to be able to stand more hate more respectful and
on the sidewalk
surrounding Valor
and prejudice inclusive toward
LGBTQ+ students
and get a bunch of than I’d ever and staff.
people holding hands,
literally locking the
received in “Our school
treats [LGBTQ+
school with love,” my 17 years of students] better than
Moody said.
He is also fighting
life because Valor does, they’re
not hard to beat, but
for a safe space I believe in definitely, because
inside of VCHS for things like there are actual clubs,
LGBTQ+ students. recognition within
Moody is advocating this,” Moody the school, and I feel
for the dismissal said. like people there are
from employment of a lot more accepting
the administrators of it too,” Moody
at VCHS who forced Tonga and said.
Benner to resign. His final goal is He also noted that a majority
that VCHS’s Blue Ribbon award of the classroom at RCHS have
will be rescinded. “Safe Space” stickers on classroom
“We’re only here for so long, doors, signifying that LGBTQ+
might as well live how you want students are welcome in those
and find ways to move forward. rooms.
Progress is inevitable,” Moody RCHS student Addie Waller
said. ‘24 was unaware that Moody
In his four months of protests daily.
individual protest, Moody’s “I support him [Moody]. If
message for change has been met a person loves the same gender,
with mixed public responses. He they should have the right to do
appreciates the power of simple that and express themselves. I feel
PC: K. Zizzo positive gestures. like the Valor decision wasn’t very
“There’s this one white truck accomodating for those coaches.
taking a stand Moody protests the treatment of that comes around 3:30. Almost Moody encourages students to
LGBTQ+ staff and students on the sidewalk across every day I’ve been out here, visit Valor for Change’s website,
from VCHS Nov.12. he honks at me and gives me a follow their social media accounts,
thumbs up. Those little things are and join him in protesting VCHS.
really sweet,” Moody said. “Come stand with me.”
However, positive public
interactions have been limited for
Moody as he faces backlash on a
daily basis. Editor’s note: VCHS declined to
“The people of Valor told me I comment on this situation.
was going to hell for holding up aYou can also read
