During the first week of February, walking through the NPHS hallways before school started looked like a normal high school.  The walls were full of posters promoting school activities. Spaced about a foot apart, there were many Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) posters colorfully defining dozens of sexuality terms like non-binary, gender fluid, and gay. 

By second period, it looked different. There were photocopies of Jesus covering the GSA flyers. I felt bad for GSA members because people were laughing, while others were removing the Jesus pictures. 

By third period, students reported that they saw the posters being removed. 

To this day, the walls still remain bare.

GSA member Ashlynn Baker said after the posters came down, an LGBTQ student posted on their Snapchat Story that people didn’t accept her and were putting up the Jesus posters to stop them from expressing themselves.

Principal Scott Siegel said parents of gay and straight kids had called the school saying 170 posters were overkill and the message was in everybody’s face. He said the parents were in support of LGBTQ issues but felt that the quantity was passive aggressive.

Siegel said the students involved with this incident were disciplined, but sometimes students get confused with the definition of harassment. “If [they] don’t agree with something…they think they’re being harassed,” Siegel said.

The principal also said that many of the posters that were removed were not approved to be posted in the school.

Siegel said there is no rule in place about the removal of the posters.  “We are taking a break from posters in the hallways in order to support students and staff,” he said.

I wish the school would have sent out an email explaining the loss of all of the posters.  When they came down, a lot of students assumed that it was because of the Jesus copies. Without the explanation, it was confusing and students spread rumors.

We should bring posters back immediately. 

Siegel said going forward the school will allow posters on bulletin boards in designated areas. The walls are blank right now and with the posters, it wouldn’t be so boring.  

While walking down in the hallways, students would look at the posters because they catch your eye. The flyers served an important educational purpose. We already have bulletin boards; I think posters on the walls are more effective.

North Platte High School uses social media, announcements and School Messenger (the recorded phone calls to your house). “The school has ways that can reach thousands of people instead of flyers on the walls,” Siegel said. 

However, a lot of students don’t read about school news on social media. They use social media to communicate and follow their friends. Students would rather have a break from school.

I agree that there were too many posters, but with clear expectations, we can bring them back next week. I suggest that posters be pre-approved by the principal, but are limited in number. I think the posters should only be allowed to stay up for one week.  

By following these suggestions, everyone can equally share about their organization. It would also allow everyone to have their opinion about themselves and not be judged.