001Good afternoon. We are going to get started with our program so we can get uh the food trucks open. So, good afternoon. Welcome to the fourth annual Everett High School Pride flag raising ceremony. Unfortunately, today the EHS choir under the direction of Corey Crowoot and Gene O'Brien are not able to be with us today. And I will save you the pain of listening to listening to me sing at any cost. Regardless, let the music in our hearts be the soundtrack of today's celebration. On behalf of Mark Lent, Mary Pulio, and the EHS Gender Sexuality Alliance, my name is Sean Salazar, and we're all very happy to have our beautiful community joining us for today's event. This yearly celebration would not be possible without the continued support of school committee member Maroneia Mayo Baris, school committee
002chairperson Samantha Hurley, and the entirety of the school committee who unanimously sponsored this resolution to make today's event possible. I'd also like to thank principal Dennis Lynch, vice principles Jim Murphy and John Suter, our amazing custodial staff, John Delgado, director of security Lauren O' Conor, our school resource officers Carolyn Pariner and the culinary department, Kelly McWilliam and the student ambassadors, and everyone else in the AHS community who have given time and energy to help make today a success. I'd like to acknowledge Superintendent William Hart, interimm assistant super uh sorry, assistant superintendent Gretchen Manning, communications coordinator Dave Okconor, and everyone from central admin in attendance for their ongoing strong and vocal support. We are also honored to have many of our elected officials in attendance today and like to give them all a brief acknowledgement. We
003have uh Robin Babcock of the school committee, Jenny Jeannie Cristiano from the school committee, Margaret Cornelio from the school committee, Stephanie Martins and Holly Garcia from the city council, uh Mayor Carlo Di Maria, and Senator D. Dominico. Thank you all for joining us today. So, as I was brainstorming my remarks for today and taking into account all that is going on in our nation and across the world, I kept coming back to the phrase, "The first pride was a riot." I then went back to look at my words from last year and that was my theme even then. So, what does all that mean? Why is this phrase still resonating with me and many of us? I was going to touch on all the ways that that society, government, school systems, and our families either
004can support us in this fight for human recognition or stand in the way of progress. But the longer I gave it thought, I realized that this fight is not for our community alone. This fight isn't just about gay rights or trans rights. It's about all of our rights. We as a nation are currently being faced with corruption and author authoritarianism actions unlike anything that we have seen in this country in a very long time if not ever. We have a government at all levels with leaders looking to enrich themselves at the cost of the rest of us, kidnapping community members off of the streets and quite frankly looking for ways to make many of us disappear. There is an existential threat to our trans families, our migrant families, our queer families, our poor families, and
005our families of color. Intolery, intolerance, bigotry, and hatred are the guiding principles of our ruling class. And it's up to us to stand up, call it by its name, and bring these dark actions to light. It is up to those of us who enjoy any sort of privilege to use our privilege to pro protect those who do not have it. Today's flag raising for me isn't necessarily just about celebration, but as a rallying cry to all of those who share the values of justice, fairness, and yes, of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Just because we're able to gather and raise this flag together doesn't mean that we are automatically accepted in our own communities. We need to be vigilant as individuals, as leaders, and as educators to call out what is wrong loudly and forcefully. Most
006of all, we must continue to co hold events like today where we can unabashedly make our presence known, make our voices heard, and demonstrate that we are here, we will be seen, and we are proud of who we are and what our community represents. Superintendent William Hart has been a vocal supporter of the GSA and the pride flag raising and last year was not able to join us. I am happy that he is here today and is my privilege to be able to introduce him to share some remarks for this special occasion. Superintendent Hart. Thank you very much uh Mr. Salazar for help always not helping but leading this charge on our fourth annual flag day raising program along with your colleagues my dear friend Mary Pulio who's our library coordinator Mark Lent you launched
007this initiative in 2022 today it is embedded on our yearly calendar of important celebrations here in Everett as we can all see this is a community event that brings together students at the food truck families, faculty, elected officials, and let me point out the elected officials that um Mr. Salazar mentioned, and they know the importance of events like this. They help bring our community together. They are dedicated to why we're standing here today. And let me personally thank them for their attendance, but more so their support and their ongoing leadership in this important work that we all share together. This event signals our commitment to celebrating the LGBTQ plus students, staff, and families not only here at the Ever Public Schools, but beyond. Just as importantly, it is emblematic of a district and a high
008school that are filled with people who understand that the themes and ambitions we are expressing at this very moment must also guide us every day in everything that we do. I also would like to thank our guest speaker who you'll hear from shortly, Mr. Jason Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler not only is an Ever resident and an EPS parent, but Mr. Wheeler is the director of the safe schools program for the LGBTQ students, which is a joint project of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Mass Commission on LGBTQ youth. He has spent his career advocating on behalf of traditionally underserved and under underrepresented populations in pursuit of a more equitable and just society. I want to express my deep appreciation to all of you for being here to reminding the world that people
009are here standing with all of the LGBTQ Q families and friends and this work is only just beginning. Thank you so much for being here. Enjoy happy Pride. [Applause] Principal Dennis Lynch has also been a vocal supporter of all students and staff and is vital to the welcoming community that Ever High School is for all people. I'd once again like to invite Principal Lynch to say a few words during our [Applause] ceremony. Thank you everyone and good afternoon. It's my absolute honor and joy to welcome you to Everett High School for our fourth annual pride uh pride flag ceremony. A celebration of love, identity, visibility, and unity. Thank you to Mr. Salazar, Miss Pulio, Mr. Lent, and all of our honored guests already mentioned for joining us here today. And especially to Mr. Salazar, Miss
010Lent, and Miss Pulio for putting this event together. Today, we come together not only to honor Pride Month, but to recognize and uplift the voices, experiences, and achievements of our LGBTQ plus students, staff, and allies. This ceremony is a symbol of our commitment to creating a school environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and safe to be exactly who they are. Pride is not just about celebration. It's about courage. It's about the strength it takes to live authentically, the resilience to stand tall in the face of adversity, and the compassion to support one another in building a more inclusive world. To all the students here today, know this. You belong. You matter. And you are an important part of this school community. We're proud to celebrate you today and every day. Let's make this ceremony a
011joyful reminder of what we can accomplish when we lead with kindness, stand up for each other, and celebrate our differences. Thank you. [Applause] Okay, our featured speaker, as uh Superintendent Hart mentioned, is the director for the safe schools program for LGBTQ students. Uh Jason Wheeler has a profound commitment to advancing social justice, and at the heart of his work lies a dedication to tackling the systemic challenges that underlly social injustice. his career strategically positioned at the intersection of critical national concerns, particularly in the realms of human rights, education, and equity. Throughout his career, Jason has championed the inclusion and empowerment of traditionally underserved and up under reppresented populations, including individuals with disabilities, those from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as queer and trans youth. By fostering dialogue, implementing inclusive policies, and driving
012systemic change, Jason remains steadfast in his pursuit of a more equitable and just society. Jason leverages his expertise and passion to create safer, more inclusive educational environments for LGBTQIA plus students. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, he works to dismantle barriers and ensure that all students can thrive in schools free from discrimination and prejudice. I'm proud to have Jason with us today as our featured speaker, Jason [Applause] Wheeler. Hi everybody. Good afternoon. As was said, my name is Jason Wheeler and I use he and him for pronouns. I am the director of the safe schools program for LGBTQ students and as was shared, the program itself is a collaborative effort between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. It's an honor to be with you here today to raise
013the Pride flag, a symbol of love, of pride, of visibility, and of belonging. Raising this flag is more than just a gesture. It's a promise. A promise that LGBTQ students, staff, and families are seen, valued, and supported here at Everett High School and in this community. In my role, I have the opportunity to work in schools and districts across the Commonwealth. I get to witness the strength and the Brazil and the brilliance of queer and trans students across Massachusetts. I also get to work with committed educators, families, and allies who are working every day to make schools safer and more inclusive. And what I see here in Everett fills me with great joy. This community is leading with love. You are making a difference just by being here today. We're living in a moment that
014calls for both celebration and for courage. Across the country, LGBTQ students are showing incredible resilience and leadership even as they face growing attempts to for erasing their identities and limiting their rights. That's why pride in schools and moments like this pride flag raising matter so much. Visibility saves lives. Affirmation is not just a luxury, but it's essential. Every LGBTQ young person deserves to walk into a classroom and feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves. To the adults here today, this is your moment, too. If you're a teacher, a guidance counselor, a coach, a school leader, your voice matters. Your actions matter. Ask yourself, what am I doing today besides showing up here? What am I doing today to ensure that LGBTQ students feel safe, seen, and supported? Let this celebration be a call to
015action. Show up, speak up, and make your classroom, your office, or the hallway that you're in a place of belonging. Not just during Pride Month, but every day. On a personal note, as it was shared, Everett is my home. My husband and I have lived here for nearly our entire lives. We are proud to call this city home. Together, we are the legal guardians of a child who is currently enrolled in Everett public schools. On Monday, he'll be celebrating his move on day as he graduates to kindergarten. He's also hiding over in the corner here. Our family has been met with nothing but love, care, and support, and we couldn't be more grateful for that. To the LGBTQ students who are here, you are powerful. You are radiant. You are exactly who you're meant to
016be. And please don't ever forget that you are worthy of joy, of safety, and of love just the way that you are. and you deserve to be celebrated not just today but every day. Let the flag raising that we are raising Let the flag that we are raising today be a visible commitment to creating safe schools where every LGBTQ student feels safe is affirmed and is celebrated. Thank you, Everett High School, for standing with LGBTQ youth and for helping build a future where everyone belongs. Happy Pride. [Applause] All right, in just a few minutes we're going to do the actual flag raising. But as we raise the flag today in recognition of Pride Month, let's all keep in our hearts and thoughts all those who have fought for equality and justice and of all those
017who have suffered at the hands of oppression. It is all of those individuals who inspire us to continue to fight for righteousness, justice, and truth. Once we've got the flag raised, please feel free to partake in the food trucks, have some rainbow cupcakes from the AHL's culinary department, as well as visit visit the tables of our community partner partners for swag and activities. Thank you for joining us and happy Pride. [Applause] on the wall. [Applause] Excuse me. All right, food trucks are open, folks. Thank you so much, everyone. [Applause] Please go ahead and enjoy the food.