Since 2010 my Alma mater @Ada_Schools has offered a Winter Guard program to students. They are 23-time State Champions, also National Champions & International Semi-Finalists. Though the program costs the school very little money, the board decided to terminate the program. Why?

The board doubled down on the issue last night, saying "ending this program is what& #39;s best for the kids."

Here& #39;s just a few of those very students& #39; reactions.

@AdaIcon and @TheAdaHerald: Don& #39;t you owe it to your readers to get to the bottom of this story? Why is this happening?

As a queer person who was scared to come out of the closet in this school& #39;s social culture, it pains me greatly to see that one of the very few safe spaces this school had be terminated.

I don& #39;t know if any of the participants were LGBTQ+. But arts programs are often the only places our young queer youth have where they can feel safe and respected, especially in a rural conservative environment.

Why are you failing your students in this way, @Ada_Schools?

"The performing arts in school was my safe space, my abode, my sanctuary... I was able to learn humanity through humbling experiences and interactions with all people of all walks of life across the country." http://www.adaicon.com/news/201911/letter-wg-program-ada-hs-viable-appropriate-and-necessary-experience">https://www.adaicon.com/news/2019...