Maywood Academy High School had its very first Ally Week, an event that happened from September 23-27, 2019 to help encourage students to be allies towards LGBTQ + students.

One of our first events of the week was a Door Decorating Contest. Given only two weeks for preparation, every BIC class was to present a poster that defines and states how they support the LGBQT+ community. The goal of the door decorating contest was for the students to express their support by being creative as much as possible to show to the LGBTQ+ Students that they are not alone. The Restorative Justice sponsored Ally Week. As the Restorative Justice judged the doors they noticed that the posters reflected originality and support towards the LGBTQ + students. “I expect more students to step up and show more support for the LGBTQ+ students on campus. To teach students more about to be an Ally to show more support and love for them”, said Restorative Justice/History teacher Jamshidnejad.

Second-year Restorative Justice students created a poster on the quad to spread the word about being an ally to the LGBTQ + students. Ally Week was also designed to support the GSA club, sponsored by Ms. Longi and Ms. Kortkamp. Ms. Longi, the original Sponsor, and Ms.Kortkamp, is the co-sponsor for this club that supports and protects LGBTQ + students. When they started the club, they wanted a safe environment for the LGBTQ+ students to come for help and support on campus. They are both teachers at MAHS: Ms.Kortkamp a History teacher for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, and Ms.Longi a Physical Education teacher for 9th and 10th grade. 

Ms.Kortkamp had some thoughts about Ally Week: “I think it was a fabulous idea because it helps bring awareness about ally and how people can support LGBTQ students, so for that, I thought it was great. I thought it was a great idea for kids to know they have the support and know who is supporting them without having to ask them”, she said.