Meet Some of the LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High, and Middle School Class of 2020!
To our brave and resilient graduates; we see you, we honor you and your hard work, and we are so proud of you! To get to know the class of 2020, we asked our LGBTQIA+ graduates the following questions:
- What are you most proud of as an LGBTQIA+ student?
- What LGBTQIA+ project, program, art piece, or moment inspired you?
- What inspires you?
- What is your favorite school memory?
- What do you want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates?
- What advice would you give your younger self?
- What is your senior quote?
Below are their answers:
Caleb Lennon
Cypress Charter High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I’m most proud of the fact that I made it through high school when I never thought I would make it this far.
Everything this community has accomplished inspires me.
Being with everyone together during Coming Out Day every year is my favorite school memory.
I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates that if you ever think that no one is proud of you, remember I am, we all are. You made it. Through everything.
Don’t forget to love your friends and show gratitude to everyone. Spread your love but don’t forget to save some for yourself. This is advice I would give my younger self.
Senior Quote: “Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. / All things break. And all things can be mended. / Not with time, as they say, but with intention. / So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. / The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” L.R. Knost
Chloë Rae Adolfo
Soquel High School
I’m proud that as an LGBTQIA+ student, I’ve never let my identity halt or thwart my progress or success as a student. Embracing my true self has only helped ground me in working towards my goals.
The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) at Soquel High really inspired me to own my life and identity. Experiencing these workshops as well as being a part of Soquel High’s Soquel United Club inspired me to have power representing myself in order to support the self-confidence and understanding of other students on campus.
My teachers inspire me. People who work to help others grow inspire me to be my best self because I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the support of others. I am inspired to work hard so I can pay off the hard work that my teachers and mentors put in for me.
I’ll never forget meeting such inspirational staff and people. Especially in my Multicultural Club where we helped foster a love-filled and a celebrated diverse community. All in all, the people and opportunities for fun and growth were the most memorable experiences from high school.
To future LGBTQIA+ graduates: always remember how awesome you are.
Advice for my younger self is to trust in the flow of life. There are always different and new things that are yet to come, even in the face of challenges.
Senior Quote “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” – Socrates
Colin Taylor
Watsonville High School
I’m most proud of being able to express myself.
The LGBTQIA+ programs that inspire me are the programs by the Diversity Center in Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
Music inspires me.
Meeting my brothers is my favorite school memory.
“Keep your head up” is what I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates.
The advice I would give my younger self is to study more in school.
Senior Quote: “Sometimes, to overcome your demons, you have to face them head on.” -Simon Lewis
Davey Mobley
They/Them/Theirs He/Him/His
Cypress Charter High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I am most proud of navigating my identity and truly understanding the meaning of gender and sexuality, all alongside my closest friends and mentors, until I finally found the identity that suits me the best.
I often reflect on LGBT people from ancient times, and how their words and experiences still resonate with the LGBT people of today. One fragment from Sappho stands out to me: “Someone will remember us, I say, even in another time.”
I am inspired by the strength of LGBT people across the world to live true to who they are.
Winning the Regional High School Ethics Bowl is my favorite school memory. It represented the culmination of years of hard work, and I was so proud to stand there next to my best friends and represent the school that I love so dearly as I held that plaque.
Future LGBTQIA+ graduates, I am so, so, so proud of you for making it this far. You have the rest of your life ahead of you now. Run to it.
My advice to my younger self is don’t be ashamed of yourself. Your time will come.
Senior Quote: “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. We must imagine Sisyphus happy.” – Albert Camus
Fatima J. Nieves
She/Her/Hers He/Him/His They/Them/Theirs
Pajaro Valley High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I am proud of being different. Not being just one nobody.
An LGBTQIA+ moment that inspired me was my first time at the GSA prom.
My friends inspire me
Setting off confetti cannons at Coming Out Day is my favorite school memory.
I would tell future LGBTQIA+ graduates to keep being you and never let anyone say different.
My advice to my younger self is to try everything. Don’t be scared and just have fun.
Senior Quote: “Wanna One; To Be One”
Genevieve Bellavance
She/Her/Hers
Scotts Valley High School
Being able to learn about LGBTQ+ issues in class and writing a report on the gay liberation movement is what I’m most proud of as an LGBTQIA+ student.
An LGBTQIA+ project, program, art piece, or moment that inspired me is all!!! Everything is inspirational :).
People that push for change and the efforts to achieve change inspire me.
My favorite school memory is the New York school trip with my choir class!!!!
Future LGBTQIA+ graduates: congratulations!!! I am so proud of you <3.
It’s okay to be confused is advice I’d give my younger self.
Senior Quote: “And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, cannot be killed or swept aside.” – Lin Manuel Miranda
Jessica Ruiz
Pajaro Valley High School
An LGBTQIA+ program that inspires me is Pride. I always feel so happy and proud to be who I am.
My sister inspires me. When things were tough for her, she never gave up and because she’s such an amazing person.
My favorite school memory is hanging out and seeing my friends during Yearbook!
What I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates is stay strong! Things will get better, slowly but surely, I believe in you and I love you for who you are.
Advice I would give my younger self is: you did it, I’m proud of you, never give up buddy.
John Robert Armstrong III
Santa Cruz High School
I have pride in being gay and proud.
I’m inspired by classical music and my friends.
My favorite high school memory is performing with my friends in band.
What I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates is to live your life, and just be gay.
My advice to my younger self is: take a shower.
Senior Quote: “The flames of hell left one crazy farmer’s tan.”
Lane Certo Ilstrup
They/Them/Theirs
Cypress Charter High School
Living through my most difficult trials, and being able to accept and live my identity is what I’m most proud of as an LGBTQIA+ student.
Every time I pass the mural that the Diversity Center created on the wall of Louden Nelson I’m reminded of the history that our community can never forget, the memory of which we need to fuel the vision of the equity-based future we are building together every day. This is an LGBTQIA+ art piece that inspires me.
Anyone that stands up for justice, the sunlight coming through clouds, unexpected moments with nature; that’s what inspires me.
My favorite school memory is spending a semester creating a venture that focused on the sexual and emotional health education of secondary school students, and having the opportunity to teach/discuss self-designed curriculum to/with peers. It was from that experience that I not only was able to create a project that I felt was important and test my teaching ability, but gain valuable insights and intimacy with members of my community :-).
What I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates is that not every problem will magically be solved by aging and reaching milestones like graduation, but a vast amount of the problems you have now will. However, the most important thing is that everything will be different — both you and your situation. And you will be infinitely more equipped to handle what comes your way with your experience <3.
Advice I would give my younger self is to give themselves patience and love, while encouraging them to seek out as much knowledge as possible, expanding their personal understandings and perspectives on the world.
Senior Quote: “And so the only answer is that the exercise of knowledge creates relationships, continuity, and emotional attachments. It introduces us to parents other than our biological ones. It allows us to live longer, because we don’t just remember our own life, but also those of others. It creates an unbroken thread that runs from our adolescence (and sometimes from infancy) to the present day. And all this is very beautiful.” – Umberto Eco
Linus Harless
They/Them/Theirs
Soquel High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I am most proud of my ability to stand up for myself and feel confident in my identity.
The Trans Day of Remembrance inspires me greatly.
Kindness and generosity inspires me.
My favorite school memory is hanging out in the band room with my friends practicing music.
I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates: you’re gonna get there, hold out one day at a time until you see that day.
Advice I would give my younger self is it’s going to be okay, one day you’ll get out and be stronger than ever.
Senior Quote: “You gotta test the waters before you throw yourself into the trash!”
Lupe Lara
Pajaro Valley High School
Triangle speakers is an LGBTQIA+ program that inspires me.
My friends inspire me.
My favorite school memory would be Coming Out Day.
I want to tell future LGBTQIA+ graduates it will get worse but eventually you’ll find people that will make it all bearable and that will make life worth living.
Natalie Simone Fanthorpe
She/Her/Hers
Soquel High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student,I am proud of living authentically. I was scared and a little ashamed of my identity when I was younger, and also just really confused. But now I am very open about who I am and I am proud I have gotten to a point of pride within myself rather than fear and shame.
I think queer proms are so special. I am glad that they are an LGBTQIA+ program that is normalized and held for our generation.
I am inspired by movements and individuals who have changed the world and changed society for the better. The various civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s will always have a special place in my heart and give me motivation to change the world.
I have so many amazing memories from my four years at Soquel High, but once of my favorites would have to be going to San Francisco with my APUSH class junior year. We drove to the city on a bus, went to a museum, ate a yummy lunch, and went to a baseball game. It was so fun to spend time with my friends and my teacher Marshak outside of class, and we got on the jumbo-tron at the baseball game which was so amazing!!
Love yourself and believe in yourself. You are special, you are loved, and you make the world a better place just by being alive. That is what I want to say to future LGBTQIA+ graduates.
I would tell my younger self to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my own journey. Find happiness and confidence and validation and love within yourself before you go searching for it elsewhere.
Senior Quote: “Could’ve peaked when I was in high school, but I had bigger plans.” – BROCKHAMPTON
Shelby Hope Beam
Scotts Valley High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I am most proud of accepting who I am.
My first pride in 2019 is an LGBTQIA+ moment that inspired me.
Other people living their best lives inspire me.
Baking club is my favorite school memory.
Future LGBTQIA+ graduates: YOU’RE DOING GREAT SWEETIE!
Advice I would give my younger self is to chill out, it’s going to be ok.
Senior Quote: “And the universe said everything you need is within you / And the universe said you are stronger than you know.”
Simone Kelilah Sarah Katherine Sutton
She/Her/Hers
San Lorenzo Valley High School
As an LGBTQIA+ student, I am proud that my school and classmates are all supportive and that I didn’t really think much of it because it is such a normal and accepted part of life in my community.
I don’t exactly have one moment that inspired me. I guess just all the people that speak openly online about their struggles due to being part of the LGBTQIA+ community in order to help raise awareness and make it more accepted.
I have never really thought about what inspires me but I guess the people that have careers helping other people such as, nurses, doctors, EMT’s, police officers, military members, and fire fighters.
My favorite high school memory is having my best friend Ming and I named most likely to be best friends forever for the senior superlatives.
I want to tell future LGBTQIA+ graduates that I am so proud of you for being strong enough to be yourself and graduate! This is such a big life step and I am glad you are here and living your best life and just know that there is a massive community worldwide that supports you.
Advice I would give my younger self is: don’t be afraid to speak up in class and ask questions when you are confused, no one is going to judge you for asking questions.
Senior Quote: “In a world that wants us to whisper, I choose to yell” – Luvvie Ajayi
Talia Loftus
She/Her/Hers
Santa Cruz High School
Art and music and the change-driven generation I’m a part of inspires me.
Growing up alongside my best friends is my favorite high school memory.
I would tell future LGBTQIA graduates to do what you love no matter what :).
Advice for my younger self is don’t worry, you become exactly who you want to be.
Congratulations!
To all of the LGBTQIA+ graduates who are not yet out in their homes or communities and could not take part in this celebration; you are not alone. We see you, and you are still an important part of our community. Congratulations on your many accomplishments. — The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County
