Ongoing events for a Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School PRIDE project included a student presentation on May 8 by the Out In Schools organization based in Vancouver.
The PRIDE project focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) awareness and understanding.
Out In Schools program co-ordinator Jen Sung and facilitator Nico McKay made a presentation and fielded questions from the numerous youth who crowded the student lounge to learn more.
Sung notes the independent organization is hired by schools across British Columbia to appear and make similar presentations.
"It is definitely needed. We were just so thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with [the students and] the public in 100 Mile House and the region and its service providers."
The overall project is the brainchild of PSO Grade 12 student Josie Jaegar who also formed a LGBTQIA+ group in her school to take on a leadership role.
The project was recently awarded a $1,500 Youth Initiative Grant by the United Way and will include other upcoming events, such as hosting an educator for folks across the community.
Sung gives kudos to Jaegar for making the effort to create this important project.
"We rely on the social champions in our region and our world really, to take on these initiatives.
"Without Josie to advocate for this and to share her story ... students wouldn't be able to connect with each other. We aren't understanding each other's differences and diversity."
Jaegar says she will pass the group leadership role on to another club member after graduation.
More information on Out In Schools is online at www.outinschools.com.