The Warrior Performance Ghosted a Semicolon Day on Sept. 23 to bring awareness to suicide prevention, especially concerning younger victims. 

This activist project was posted on WPG’s social media calling other students to draw a semicolon on their wrists for the cause. A semicolon is often used as a symbol for those who overcame a personal battle with mental health issues. It is a metaphor for suicide prevention because it represents that someone’s story has not yet ended. 

An author could’ve ended the sentence but chose not to much like a life that could’ve ended but did not. It symbolizes a decision to move forward and a continuation of life. 

WPG is a club that works to bring awareness to human rights through performance and services. Previously, they have done the clothesline project for sexual assault awareness month in the courtyard and menstrual product drives to address period poverty. They put on a spring showcase performance where they recite spoken word for social justice issues and take the proceeds raised from the show to donate them to foundations like the Trevor Project to help LGBTQ+ youth and the Methacton Backpack Foundation to help students who qualify for free or reduced meals within the district. 

WPG Presidents Evie Sullivan, Natalie Rydzewski and Tom MacNeel discussed why they chose the Semicolon project this year, its impact on the school, and the message it spreads. 

“Project Semicolon is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for mental illness of all varieties: depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, eating disorders, and more. It is unique in its expression. People throughout the world tattoo a semicolon on their bodies. It unites them and lets them know they are not alone,” said MacNeel who also mentioned that WPG aligns with the project in September because of its emphasis on suicide prevention. 

“We have  found  that teaching about the movement and having a semicolon day is the best way to spread awareness and let people know they are not alone,” Sullivan said. “We want our club to feel like a place where people can feel supported. The project is one way we can support some of our members or classmates. The event always brings a sense of community between WPG advocates and the school’s student body.” 

This will not be the last students will see of WPG’s project for the upcoming year.  

“In the future, we are planning something for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we have meetings on the first and third Tuesday every month in the dance studio, room C104. The Google Classroom code is IUSXXOC for anyone who wants to join a supportive and welcoming organization that brings light to the hard topics,” said Rydzewski.

https://youtu.be/v_7zEq2D-us?si=ICeGRKxyEAbotLy-