While walking the halls, one might encounter a brightly decorated poster with an acronym that references an admirable character trait.

H.E.R.O. (Helping to Educate Regarding Orientation) club was established at PA four years ago after a student approached mathematics teacher Mrs. Helfrich with the idea. The H.E.R.O. club functions as the schools gay/straight alliance.

“I’ve always wanted to start this club,” Mrs. Helfrich said. “I have many family members who are gay and have been victimized because of it.” 

Mrs. Helfrich hopes that this club will continue to help students feel safe and reassure them that they have support here at school. Currently, the H.E.R.O. Club has been running under the radar as a way to make the kids feel more “comfortable and secure”. 

“It’s like an underground spread the word sort of thing, the students spread the word themselves,” Mrs. Helfrich said. “But anyone can join the H.E.R.O. Club.”

H.E.R.O. Club meets every Tuesday after school in Rm. 2003.