SAN JOSE, CA – In honor of Pride Month, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) department and The LGBTQ+ Youth Space collaborated to launch a Pride Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest open to middle and high school students in Santa Clara County.
“The SCCOE is proud to partner with The LGBTQ+ Youth Space to host the Pride PSA Contest this year,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. “The contest will provide students with an outlet to share their stories and express their creativity.”
The theme for the Pride Month PSA is “Heal the Pain, Spread the Love.” Students are encouraged to submit a piece of media of their choice that reflects on healing through the struggles of mental health, bullying, or addiction by showing self-love and pride. Additional information on how to apply and the contest can be found via a Google Form. The deadline to submit is June 20, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.
Winners will receive a prize and be celebrated at the virtual LGBTQ+ Pride Month PSA Showcase on June 24, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. The goal of the showcase is to create a virtual safe space for LGBTQ+ Youth and Community members to honor the winners of the contest and enjoy music and prizes. Students and community members can learn more about the Pride PSA showcase online.
“It is our shared responsibility to ensure that everyone in our school communities is valued and respected regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation,” said Dr. Dewan “Through collaboration, student voice, and key partnerships, the SCCOE is actively working to create more inclusive policies and practices to support and uplift LGBTQ+ youth.”
The SCCOE website has information about laws and policies to protect LGBTQ+ youth, instructional resources and more. Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in activities to celebrate the inclusiveness and diversity of Santa Clara County schools and families.
###
About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.