The Suffield High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance is officially turning to a new chapter as it wishes all of the club members a good summer and a farewell until next year! As a ‘Goodbye for the year’, here is a quick recap of all the spectacularly special events the GSA has hosted/attended over the course of the 2024-2025 school year!
October:
Q+ GSA Summit –
The SHS Gender and Sexuality Alliance attended the Q+ GSA Summit at the Simsbury Public Library on October 6, 2024. During this event, members of the SHS GSA Sarah Swenson, Kai Skorupski, and Az Eckley participated in a multitude of events that covered topics on the LGBTQ+ Community such as the rights of the community members in Connecticut, mental health awareness and coping, and positive activities to boost mindset and mood.
The biggest event of the day was certainly the lavender scented rice weighted eye masks. The soothing scent of lavender and the weight of the rice was the perfect craft to boost moods.
The club ended off the day at the Simsbury Grassroots Ice Cream for a flavourful treat!
November:
Friendsgiving –
Friendsgiving was hosted November 14, 2024 to kick off the holiday season with something special for everyone in the club. The GSA gathered together for an amazing afternoon as they shared stories, snacks, and laughter. The atmosphere was calm and pleasant for everyone in attendance. The room was charged with cocoa, cookies, and especially heartfelt conversations.
January:
Annual Hot Chocolate Social –
The GSA hosted their Annual Hot Chocolate Social on January 30, 2025 that gathered students from around the school who participated in the club, and even those who didn’t. There were an amazing assortment of people to spend the afternoon with while munching on snacks and playing some epic games! Students all around had an amazing time at this afternoon social that celebrated diversity and unity.
March:
True Colors SOGIEcon –
True Colors SOGIEcon was hosted for the first time this year since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 at UConn (University of Connecticut). Member of the GSA, Kai Skorupski, and two interested students, Elianna Vega and Corey Oliveira, attended this event together with GSA Advisor Christina DeAngelis on March 21, 2025. The three students and advisor were able to experience an incredible event hosted by The Health Collective.
The event consisted of over 200 workshops that allow the people who attend to customize their experience at the event based on their interests. Members of the SHS GSA specially spent their time at a variety of courses that went over topics such as the rights of the LGBTQ+ Community – taught by a law professor and graduating seniors studying law. Another workshop attended by a member of the SHS GSA was a group chat focused on colored people in the LGBTQ+ Community and their stories. Events were set up within certain times of the day with plenty to do outside of the workshops such as a career and education fair and different shows, such as drag shows and mini concerts, throughout the day in the main theater.
The SHS GSA was able to express themselves and who they are while being completely welcomed. It truly was a day of inclusivity and love.
May:
GSA Wellness Day –
The SHS Gender and Sexuality Alliance hosted its first ever GSA Wellness Day on May 1, 2025. The idea of the event was to give students throughout the school – regardless of identity or belief – a safe space to de-stress before the long week before AP testing. The event was completely funded by the Meghan Voisine “Kindness Matters” Grant. The grant was able to provide arts and crafts for the afternoon program. Events hosted consisted of: Make-your-own slime, rice and lavender eye pillows, bracelet beading, and rock painting. Every student was able to confidently leave the space feeling a little lighter, and much less stressed – and with their very own slime that they customized to fit them!
Pride/Senior Send-Off –
The year ended off on a sad yet happy note for the GSA. The Pride/Senior Send-Off was hosted May 29, 2025 where the members of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance were able to wish their seniors luck in the next chapter of their lives and bid them farewell. Senior members Sarah Swenson, Azura Eckley, Kai Loranger, and Caiden White will be missed by all members of the SHS GSA as they continue onto their next opportunity in life. The GSA wishes them luck and asks that they never forget the memories forged over the years.
