As clubs begin, Spanish teacher Cheryl Loeffler and French teacher Zachary Dent will be sponsoring the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club. Last year, when the previous club sponsor left the district, members of GSA were faced with the struggle of finding a replacement sponsor. Members emailed teachers regarding the need for a new sponsor, and received few responses.

“There is a need for GSA at school. It’s not like a typical club; it’s really an ‘as-needed club.’ We may meet once a month, or we may not. Mr. Dent and I are always here to talk, whether it’s before school or after school, or whenever we have time,” Loeffler said.

Both Loeffler and Dent express their feelings regarding the importance of the club.

“It is important for students to have someone to go to and talk to. I believe diversity is a good thing, and it is necessary to bring awareness to these things, so that we can build understanding and create a safe environment,” Dent said.

Loeffler showed interest in becoming the club’s sponsor to administration. Loeffler then spoke to Dent about also becoming a sponsor.

“I talked to [Lisa] Moore about my interest in being the sponsor,” Loeffler said. “If Mr. Dent and I would not have stepped up, it probably would have been taken over by the counselors.”

As the title ‘Gay-Straight Alliance’ implies, the club is not only for LGBTQ+ students, but also for straight students as well.

“A club such as GSA is a very important thing to have. It’s not like other clubs, because it really ensures that students feel at ease. GSA is not only helpful for gay or bisexual students, but also heterosexual students who just need to talk,” Dent said.

For Loeffler, GSA has an importance to her beyond the school day.

“GSA is important to me because I have family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, so I know how hard it can be for them to not have anyone to talk to,” Loeffler said.