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March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Saugus High School teens are raising money to attend an LGBTQ Prom in Antelope Valley for the third year in a row, school officials said Friday.

“Here at Saugus High School, students can bring anyone they want to any dance,” said Tere La Giusa, co-adviser for the Gay-Straight Alliance club at Saugus High School. “But sometimes, they feel like they can still stick out, and that people are looking at them. It’s just nice for them to feel comfortable.”

This year is the fourth annual LGBTQ prom and the third year Saugus students plan to attend the event, La Giusa said. About 30 kids have already expressed interest in going, a number expected to rise, she added.

“The challenge is getting everyone there, since it’s held in the Antelope Valley,” La Giusa said. “It’s held at the University of Antelope Valley’s Grand Ballroom, and it’s a really nice venue — people have weddings there.”

The first year the club attended the prom, about eight students attended, with 25 the year after that next year, La Giusa said.

With that number of students, they were able to purchase tickets to the event, rent limousines, provide dinner, flowers and a professional photographer.

This year — with more than 30 students interested and many more expected to express interest before the event — raising the funds gets harder.

The club has set up a [GoFundMe page].

“Gofundme is convenient, but they take a 10 percent cut,” La Giusa said.

Some parents, students and residents have sent checks directly to the club through the school.

Anyone interested in donating to the cause, or interested in offering services, or know of a restaurant that would like to donate some or all of the food, call La Giusa at 661-513-4062.

Saugus has had a Gay-Straight Alliance Club, originally called Safe Haven, since the 1990s, with La Giusa serving as the group’s adviser, along with Jacki Riedeman. Both are also teachers at Saugus High School.

The club has weekly meetings, with about 25 students attending each week, they are involved in back to school night and open house, La Giusa said.

“At the homecoming dance, there is a midway filled with booths hosted by clubs to raise funds, and they take part in that, as well,” La Giusa said.

The club also hosts “You Are Beautiful Week,” “Ally week” — where students pledge to not bully those that identify with the LGBTQ community, and there is a day of silence April 30, when students take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassing LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.

As of Friday morning, $1,938 of the $3,000 goal had been raised with 37 people donating in the past 9 days.

 

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11 Comments

  1. Someone set up a link so I can donate

  2. Thank you for this wonderful article, Kimberly.

  3. Judy Vergona Judy Vergona says:

    Good to know there’s more progressive media in this town than there used to be.

  4. Sean Cohen Sean Cohen says:

    Pay for it ya damn selves like everyone else. Getting real tired of my generations freeloading and constant whining.

  5. The article seems to be missing the link.
    http://www.gofundme.com/rcftvc

  6. MacroView says:

    God please help those lost kids– and especially those who are leading them to believe this is normal and healthy.

Leave a Comment


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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
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California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
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California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, March 26, with closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by public session at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board will be held Wednesday, March 27, beginning with closed session at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by open session at 7 p.m.

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