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Charles Echard

Writer at Tam O'Shanter

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." -Voltaire

Latest posts by Charles Echard (see all)

• Officials evaluate opioid abuse epidemic in Westmoreland County - May 22, 2017
• Opioid epidemic in Westmoreland County has officials struggling to find a solution - May 22, 2017
• Southmoreland graduate represents Boy Scouts of America at international conference - January 31, 2017

Sophomore Genesis Harshell, 16, has always been devoted to the concept of equality, and when her mother suggested starting a club devoted to just that, Harshell hit the ground running. She met with school administration to pitch a club that would be focused on appreciation of one another’s’ differences and helping those in need, and after searching for a sponsor, Harshell, along with her girlfriend, Kortlyn Kohl, 16, found Mr. Zachary Cavalier.
On October 21, 2016, Harshell greeted the nervous students gathering in Room 120 with a welcoming smile. Those students were part of something completely new to Southmoreland: the “Sexuality Advocacy For Everyone,” or “SAFE,” Club, an organization devoted to aiding LGBT youth, disadvantaged or otherwise, through fundraising and general support. (The clever name was the brainchild of Kohl.)
Many schools and universities have adopted similar organizations, namely “Gay Straight Alliances” or GSAs.
Mr. Cavalier was happy to see the club take off with a room full of members for its inaugural meeting. “I’m proud of the turnout,” he said.
Harshell hopes that the club will provide a “safe” haven for students who may not be accepted at home or at school. She also shared her desire for the club to raise money for various LGBT homeless youth support organizations.

“Eventually I’d like to see the club become a non-profit organization that can provide meaningful services and funds to local LGBT youth and LGBT youth homeless shelters,” Harshell said.
Harshell said Mr. Cavalier’s optimistic views of the club seem to be shared by students associated with the club. Senior Connor Riley sees great value in the SAFE Club.

“It’s cool to see Southmoreland have a group of such accepting students,” Riley said. “We’re finally joining the 21st Century.”
Both Mr. Cavalier and Harshell say they understand they may receive some negative feedback from members of the community, but they don’t seem to be phased.

“Push-back is expected,” Mr. Cavalier said, adding that the SAFE Club “can’t respond with anger, but instead with recognition of others’ opinions. We have to offer meaningful education to the general Southmoreland student populous.”
Harshell said the club is always looking to recruit members and lend a helping hand. Students interested in joining said they should see her or Mr. Cavalier for more information.