Progress Pride Flag Raised At West Orange High School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A Progress Pride Flag was raised at West Orange High School last week in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Students and their advisor, Oliver Brantome, joined Superintendent Hayden Moore, Mayor Susan McCartney, Board of Education President Brian Rock, board member Maria Vera and Assistant Principal Lesley Chung at the June 3 ceremony outside the Conforti Office.

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In addition to the flag raising, the gathering also included poetry readings.

“The Pride flag raising is an important tradition for WOHS students,” Brantome said.

“This year, as the rights of LGBTQ+ youth are threatened across the country, it is essential that we remind our students that they are not only seen and accepted, but most importantly, celebrated,” Brantome said.

“The fact that we can celebrate Pride Month with this event helps students feel unafraid of being who they are for most of their daily lives here at West Orange High School and subsequently the whole district, giving us a safe space our town treasures,” a student leader agreed.

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