Katherine Pecore and Stephanie Haaser
this was just a little blip of local news, and really barely got my attention, but i should’ve paid more attention. now, i’m going to do more.
a couple weeks ago, two local high school students, katherine pecore and stephanie haaser, performed a “nonconformist act,” as part of an exploration of ralph waldo emerson and henry david thoreau in their english class.
they kissed. in public.
they got suspended. and, of course, the suspension is on their “permanent record” and will probably preclude their admission to certain academic groups and societies (one article mentions national honor society). anyway, they’re paying a price for this, and i want to take a small stand, go on my own sort of “permanent record” and celebrate them just a little.
you go girls.
last week this story was picked up by cnn, and it’s starting to get some coverage around the rest of the world. you can read more here (ap via abc), here (baltimore sun), here (washington blade), here (new york post), here (washington post editorial).
most of these stories have some emphasis on the fact that these are two, straight, female, good students. i don’t think any of that is really all that important. these are two students who really understood and embraced the idea of doing something, however small, as individuals. they are welcome to sit at my table any day.
ROFL..
Comment by krizsa — November 20, 2003 @ 5:24 pm
There is no “permanent record” in high school. Once you graduate, that record is wiped clean. That won’t prevent her from anything.
Comment by Tom Benton — November 24, 2003 @ 12:25 pm
i guess i have to get out the clue-bat today.
the first clue is that “permanent record” is in quotes. sorry for the confusion. i used it as a cultural reference.
the second clue is that the news stories brought the nhs issue up, and i took the liberty of running with it. please forward your comments to the appropriate reporter.
from the sun article: “I couldn’t tell you how long it was, my adrenaline was pumping. I couldn’t really believe I’d done it,” said Haaser, whose guidance counselor told her she likely will be denied access to the National Honor Society because of the suspension.
from the cnn transcript: UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Howard County Schools said the girls were not suspended for the kiss but for disrupting students. But Stephanie paid a bigger price, she got kicked out of the National Honor Society.
so, yeah, we can get all philosophical about whether “membership in the national honor society” is “anything” – but neither you nor i know how important nhs membership was to her. and those darn college admissions people do look at silly things like that sometimes.
anyway, not really the point. i just want to celebrate someone who “gets” even a little clue about non-conformity
Comment by roj — November 24, 2003 @ 12:51 pm
I saw this on Good Morning America last week and was disapointed that they were suspended from school for this, but the point being that even if this was their “nonconformist act”, they should not have done it at school. Most school do not allow any “personal displays of affection” so I can see how the suspension was fair and how the events played out to cause problems for the girl to lose her chance in the honor society.
If I were, myself, to choose such an act of “nonconformity” I would have done it after school at a local hangout..
Comment by wendy — November 24, 2003 @ 3:46 pm
I happen to be very good friends with Stephanie Haaser, and I wish to clear a few things up for anyone who reads this. First, she was not kicked out of NHS, but she was going to be until they advisors decided against it. Next, PDA is allowed in school all the time, because you see heterosexual couples hugging, kissing, ect in the hall all the time. Next, the kiss wouldnt have gotten any attention if it had been done at a local hangout. To those who support her, thank you, to those who don’t, all I can say is that’s your opinion, but this is something that has really helped the school, and maybe even the nation wake up to this problem of homophobia. Just for your info, I am a heterosexual male, but I fully support her, and I really do not think homosexuals should be treated any differently. They are still people.
Comment by darkfalcon — November 30, 2003 @ 9:54 pm
thanks for dropping in… it’s always nice to have something closer to a source than the dramatized-for-news-consumption version of a story.
Comment by roj — December 3, 2003 @ 2:17 pm
I happen to know several students at that school who are homosexual and they have often expressed the difficulties they face. Walking down the halls is a day to day battle for them. I support Stephanie 150% because she is at least trying to make a difference. There have been kids beaten to death simply because they are gay. Yea, hearing something like that makes you sad for about a week or two, but think about their families who will wake up to that reality every day for the rest of their lives. Stephanie is at least making an effort and as for those of you who are homophobic, think of this. What if it was your son or daughter who was beaten to death simply because they were gay? Then would you feel like someone should take a stand. Open your eyes people… our ignorance is breaking the world apart. We need to put an end to homophobia now, before many people really start to get hurt. The anger towards gay or lesbians has grown over the years and I am sad to associate myself with people that would target you because you express LOVE. No matter if you have a heterosexual, bisexual, transexual or homosexual love…. love is love. What she did was great and I commend her for it. If I were her parents I would be proud to know I raised a daughter who can care so deeply for someone else, to actually put herself out there as much as she did. At least here in Howard County I am starting to see a difference and for now, I guess that will have to be good enough.
Comment by Ashley — December 7, 2003 @ 6:15 pm
i think its insane that any school, especially a public one, would suspend two same gender students for kissing. i graduated from a catholic high school where my female friends hugged and kissed all the time without getting in trouble. i think homophobic people need to wake up and realize being homosexual is not a choice, or a “lifestyle.” its just the way someone is. everyone deserves to love and be loved.
Comment by thelucky — December 8, 2003 @ 11:08 pm
thanks for your comments, ashley and thelucky… and welcome to this little corner of the web.
Comment by roj — December 12, 2003 @ 8:23 pm
What do you suppose would have happened if they were two male students? Hmm.
Comment by Chris — December 14, 2003 @ 4:35 pm
This is Katherine Pecore, the infamous “other girl” involved in the kissing incident. Kudos to those of you who recognize that this is not about the kiss itself, nor our punishment, nor the ridiculous amount of media attention (although it did, I think, help me get into Brown!) but rather about the larger issue of discrimination in the high school environment. I recently wrote an editorial to River Hill’s student newspaper (also published in the Columbia Flyer) expressing my views and intentions, and I would be happy to forward it to anyone wishing to hear the “real story.” Thanks, and kisses to everyone!!!
Comment by TheSuccubus — December 26, 2003 @ 12:30 am
you are personally invited to use my space (dark and small that it is) to share your views on this (or other) issues. i yield the floor…
and thanks for visiting…
Comment by roj — December 26, 2003 @ 12:41 am
Why haven’t I seen any pictures of the other girl? All I’ve seen on tv is this cute lil blonde girl saying…It was for the student body..*pout*
Did I miss the other girl or is lil Stephanie just so “TV friendly” that the media can’t stop humping her?
Anyway what they did was cool and fuck the school and the town and anyone who turned up their nose at it. Good thing she didn’t kiss a Middle-Easterner…she may have been burned at the stake.
Comment by Jordan — January 4, 2004 @ 10:45 pm
rock on! This was a genius thing to do and i support it 200% I would never thought of this myself and am proud to even know about it.
Comment by raeli — April 12, 2004 @ 4:40 pm
Go on girl your doing great keep it up!!!!!!
Comment by Simon Wike — July 13, 2004 @ 12:52 pm
Rock on girls! I like it when people belive in something so much that they risk quite alot!
Im bi-sexual and I can’t stand fighting anymore so I don’t speak about what is on my mind anymore.
Comment by simon wike — July 13, 2004 @ 1:01 pm
Could somebody say hi to Stephanie for me? I’m a friend of hers from The Netherlands..
thanks!
Comment by Simon! — June 6, 2006 @ 10:12 pm