Mount Vernon Middle School’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) won the Gay Straight Alliance of the Year Award from Iowa Safe Schools.
Hannah Mitchell at Iowa Safe Schools said that the organization chose a GSA that displayed outstanding initiative and leadership.
“Our team was impressed to hear that GSA leadership had raised $2,000 to enable its members to attend the Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth,” Mitchell said. “The leadership’s initiative along with the strong turnout of members to the conference shows dedication to fostering growth and learning, exceptional organizational skills, and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity by ensuring financial barriers do not impede access to valuable experiences.”
Mitchell also noted the group showed perseverance in tackling difficult subjects, and the group’s ability to create an open dialogue based on mutual respect between students.
“MVMS’s GSA has really set the bar- not only for the GSAs in our network but for student clubs across the state,” Mitchell said.
For the current president of the organization, Aida Jones, it is definitely a huge honor for the organization, especially in only their second year.
Jones said that having multiple members attending the governor’s conference on LGBQTIA+ youth last year was important.
“Having representation at that conference was of huge importance,” Jones said. ”Last year was especially a rough year for people who identify as LGBQTIA+, and it was great to see so many people like you dealing with similar issues throughout the state.”
Jones said there are no plans set for fundraisers this year.
The GSA at Mount Vernon Middle School has between 10 to 12 members currently.
Jones said that the organization was important to help students stay educated on the new bills, laws and restrictions, ways to deal with them, and to help members feel supported in the school.
For this year, Jones said one of her ideas is to try and get someone from Iowa Safe Schools to speak at Mount Vernon, and potentially to have members attend the governor’s conference again this year.
As for accepting the award, Jones said she was excited to attend the Iowa Safe Schools Gala.
“I’ve never been to a gala before, and this representation and recognition of our group matters,” Jones said.
She also thanked the community for the support for the group last year when they were fundraising to send members to the conference last winter.
“Having the support of members of the Mount Vernon community means a lot to our group,” Jones said.