Amanda Leslie
One of the newest additions to MC’s club repertoire is S.A.G.E, or Student Advocates for Gender Equality. Founded by Anthony la Scala and Casey Castle, it has set out to leave a lasting mark on the student body.
“We want to stop sexism within the school and discrimination towards people based on gender,” Castle said.
Aaron Jaffe, the club’s advisor, provided his explanation as to why this is an important, necessary topic for MC to affect.
“It’s an issue that is I think the next frontier” Jaffe said. We’re going through a time as a country where we’re actually starting to look inward and recognize our biases.”
La Scala, club president, offered a more specific interpretation.
“It’s important that teenagers start looking into more controversial issues that are going on in the world right now,” la Scala said.
During meetings, club members work on education, awareness, and discussion of related topics.
“We discuss current [conflicts] regarding gender bias, sexist issues, and we raise awareness for transgender and genderqueer people,” club member and junior Emily Stewart said. “We discuss articles, and other forms of news, weekly.”
Though S.A.G.E may be new to MC, it is not a new phenomenon, as there are a network of clubs throughout San Diego County.
“The S.A.G.E network has amended several different dress codes, and had several different get togethers and rallies for gender equality,” la Scala said. “We’re just going to try and follow in their footsteps, and do whatever we can to make a difference.”
Currently the club has a plan in the works to challenge MC’s dress code.
“One the first things we’re addressing is dress code, and how dress code is very slanted towards the ‘three Bs’ and how one of those ‘Bs’ is clearly a female oriented focus […] I don’t think thats its right to be so focused just on what girls are wearing,” Jaffe said.
Not only is S.A.G.E trying to educate students on gender equality, but it’s also a safe and kind place for members.
“I love how everyone is so tolerant and caring towards everyone in the club regardless of their gender identity,” Stewart said.
The club aims to bring about proper treatment of others, and end discrimination.
“We’re really focusing on trying to get MC as whole to be gender neutral, to be anti-sexism and to make sure the women on campus are treated equally to the men on campus,” la Scala said.
S.A.G.E meets at lunch on Mondays in N8, and would love to welcome new members.
