To celebrate Human Rights Week, the Tigard High School leadership team organized an asembly for the student body. Senior McKinley Smith began the assembly with a speech, emphasizing on the importance of respecting peers.
Smith then introduced various students such as senior Nina Williams, senior Kayla Wagenhofer, junior Corey Fusick and others to address how certain groups of people at Tigard are stereotyped by others. Thespians, athletes, artists, band students, and full IB students were the groups represented. The students explained how there is more to who they are than stereotypes associated with what they do. As an artist, Wagenhofer expressed her passion for water polo, and as a full IB student, Fusick commented on his love for pottery. While of course there are many more groups at Tigard, this gave students a small glimpse of how stereotypes are labeled.
Guest speaker and author, Tyler Durman spoke at the assembly as well. While Durman was able to make the crowd roar with laughter at the crack of a joke, the core of his speech was centered around a touching story about a boy named Joe. Durman described Joe as “perfect,” and assumed this boy didn’t have any problems. However, like most of us at some point are, Joe was in pain. When Joe reached out to Durman for help, it shocked him.
“Everybody always says that ‘everybody needs to love and be loved,’” Durman said. “And I know you guys are probably thinking, ‘I know that Tyler, come on,’ but I’m telling you, it couldn’t be more true. We need each other.”
The speech ended on a positive note, and Durman encouraged students to reach out to someone who may be in pain. Once he was done speaking, Durman received a standing ovation from the students.
The assembly concluded when human rights awards were then awarded to one student in each grade and one teacher. Students awarded were freshman Megan Priaulx, sophomore Taylor Wilhoit, junior Jezeth Zaragoza and senior Paul Harestad. The winning teacher was social studies teacher Matthew Kitchen.
“I feel so great,” said Zaragoza.
As the gym emptied the students buzzed.
“I liked the speaker,” said senior Andreana Dunning. “I thought he was hilarious.”
Human Rights Week continues through Feb. 14.