Over the past few weeks, people in State College and around the country have seen the effect of a deep-seated problem: the suicides of six teenagers after continual harassment about their sexual orientation. In Happy Valley, it's easy to assume that we're unaffected by this issue, but this isn't the case. There is bullying in our high school against all types of people. Conversely, there are hundreds of students willing to stand against it. This is the premise of this video: because we have allowed students to be harassed without speaking up, we are responsible in part for these crimes. Mr. Andy Merritt, a social studies teacher, was the mastermind behind this video: he wrote the script, contacted clubs and teachers around the school, and organized its production. The student and staff support for the creation of this video was overwhelming, and the response after its release even more so. I am saddened by the deaths of these six teenagers, amazed by our community's willingness to address the problem, and grateful for the opportunity to share this video. I am, and we are. - Sara Birmingham

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