What is GLSEN Connecticut’s Student Organizing Team?
GLSEN Connecticut’s Student Organizing (Student Org.) Team, comprised of theJump-Start Student Leadership Team and the Students of Color Organizing (SOCO) Team, is a diverse and energetic group of student leaders from all across the state that work to create safe schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. To achieve this goal, our team organizes educational programs and events in the community to promote inclusion, safety, and respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally students.
The Jump-Start Student Leadership Team is in its third year of programming and will focus on providing more education on issues affecting LGBT middle school students and their allies. In contrast, our chapter's brand new SOCO Team is working on an ongoing website project that will provide support and inspiration to LGBT students of color and their allies.
Both teams will be facilitating workshops at the True Colors Conference on March 22 and 23, 2013, and our chapter’s 2nd Annual Safe Schools Summit on Saturday, April 6, 2013, 9am-5pm, at Common Ground High School in New Haven. To register for the summit, please go to or .
How can I get involved with the Student Org. Team?
To join our team for the 2013-14 school year, please fill out our team’s application on the Student Org. Team page on our chapter’s website ore-mail us at . You can also contact Student Org. Team’s Adult Coordinator,Alberto Cifuentes, Jr.;Jump-Start Team Student Coordinator, Julian Arias; or our SOCO Team Student Coordinator, Roberto Diaz.
To volunteer for our chapter, please complete our Volunteer Application on our website. We have many exciting volunteer opportunities available for youth, including tabling at events, speaking at schools, and facilitating educational workshops. You can also join our Facebook group for GLSEN Connecticut Student Org. Team and Allies here!
JUMP-START TEAM
STUDENT LEADERS (FY13)
Julian Arias
Jump-Start Student Coordinator
Stamford High School
Hanna Bacha
Tolland Middle School
James Rockett
Somers High School
Andy Russo
RHAM High School
Jenna Simmons
North Branford High School
Skylar Liam Spear
Chapter Board Member
Amity Regional High School
SOCO TEAM
STUDENT LEADERS (FY13)
Celina Deng
Amity Regional High School
Kash Griffith
The Taft School
Roberto Diaz
SOCO Student Coordinator
GLSEN Student Ambassador
Vinal Technical High School
Julia Goss
Vinal Technical High School
Nyasia Shaunte Mercer Long
Common Ground High School
Erica Del Rio
Capitol Preparatory Magnet School
Calliope Wong
Amity Regional High School
STUDENT ORG. TEAM
CHAPTER LEADERS
Alberto Cifuentes, Jr. (FY11-Present)
Student Organizing Adult Coordinator
Jessica Simmons (FY13-Present)
Volunteer Coordinator
Joy Lenters (FY11-Present)
GSA Outreach Coordinator
JUMP-START TEAM ALUMNI
Gil Borrino (FY12)
Kaitlyn Doucette (FY12)
Rachel Farenthold (FY11)
Layne Gianakos (FY11)
Student Coordinator
Chapter Board Member
Shawn Gilhuly (FY11-12)
Alta McKinney (FY12)
Molly Rockett (FY11)
Allen Simon (FY12)
Mara Skowronek (FY11-12)