Dominick:

I was happy to be involved and do this CAS project. It was truly meaningful to me to be in charge of GSA. The reason why I facilitated GSA happening this year is because I feel it is an important thing to have. People should be comfortable with themselves and should have an opportunity to express themselves. GSA is a space for that. We also hosted some arts and crafts activities to promote diversity and inclusivity, as well as stress relief and mental well being. I’m hoping that GSA will continue next year. I know that when I first came to this school I felt like I had nobody to talk to about LGBT issues. I hope that throughout the school year I created a safe and understanding environment for people to talk to. I don’t want people to feel the same way that I did when I first came to BSGE. I hope GSA and the Arts and Crafts activities continue for years to come. 

Ema:

In our CAS project, I was involved in the planning and execution of our Arts & Crafts Workshop. I got involved not only for the purposes of it being my CAS project, but because creativity is a very important aspect of my life. As an IB Diploma Candidate in the final stretch of the program, I experienced first hand the rigor and intensity of the work and of everyday life. As a result, an outlet is needed for people to not only express themselves but to also relieve stress. Through being a part of my CAS project, I honed my communication skills by planning out logistics and materials with my partners and supervisors. I also learned how to manage large groups of people and public speaking. I hope to see both GSA and Arts & Crafts Workshop continue in our school environment for years to come, as I truly believe it will keep our community well and healthy. 

Shane:

Working as a part of the GSA project was so fun and allowed me to have a real opportunity to interact with students who I wouldn’t usually have the chance to talk to. Getting to know the other students while having fun making arts and crafts felt like an environment that people would be comfortable sharing in and talking about themselves which I thought was very good. It also showed me the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces where everyone feels comfortable and heard. Overall, this project helped me appreciate how small activities like these can contribute to building community and supporting others.