Claremont
Stevens is one of several New Hampshire schools that is in the midst of Granite State Respect Week, a campaign that aims to raise awareness about showing a considerate environment at school.
The program’s intention is to empower students to speak up when they see warning signs to identify unhealthy relationships, provide the tools to address harassment and to emphasize the importance of positive relationships and friendships.
All of those points appear to be in the forefront already at Stevens, where athletes at Wednesday night’s basketball doubleheader with Kearsarge felt Stevens is a school with no bullying and where teachers, coaches, custodians and administrators are all treated equally.
Senior basketball player Alexis Ford said she had been at a previous school where she felt disrespected.
“This school is different,” Ford said. “Here at Stevens, the teachers treat everybody with respect regardless of where they stand academically and regardless of social stature. Respect Week is all about doing good for others, treating everybody equal.”
Ford also said she feels safe whether in the school or in the parking lot. “It’s a safe environment,” she said.
Ray Curren is a Stevens High School counselor and the leader of the Stevens Respect Week program. He is a deep believer in what good can come from it.
“It can be difficult, culturally and historically, for some to even understand what true respect is and why things like communication, trust and support between friends and partners is essential to healthy relationships,” Curren said. “Even among the most powerful people in the world, domestic violence is often seen as just the way it is, yet one in three women and one in four men will be victims of physical violence by a partner at some point in their lives. Educating our young adults, changing the ugly culture of domestic violence and letting everyone — friends, family, anyone — know that it is never OK will hopefully make a difference.”
Drew Grenier, a high honor student and three-sport athlete, is a believer in Respect Week because “it’s about treating people the way you want to be treated,” he said. “There’s no bullying in this school, and there shouldn’t be. You simply have to respect everyone. It’s not hard to do.”
The program has been designed by the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The initiative is modeled after high school spirit week in that each day has its own theme.
“I think it is a great opportunity for Stevens students to learn and speak about exactly what is a healthy relationship, because many of the images and ideals they are presented on a daily basis do not,” Curren said.
The varsity boys and girls basketball teams all wore special warmup T-shirts before Wednesday’s doubleheader.
“Respect means a lot to me,” spirit team captain Leann McCarthy said.
“I think just learning to speak out is the biggest thing I like about this school. Not only can we speak out, but people listen and do things about what is spoken out.”