On May 30, students, club leaders, a cappella groups, and local organizations gathered on the front lawn for the annual Pride for PHS day to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. PHS clubs and outside organizations including Princeton Public Library (PPL) and HiTOPS led a variety of activities, including a pride themed piñata and an LGBTQ+ history stand.

Pride for PHS was first organized in 2023 through the efforts of PHS art teacher Bridget Schmidt and PHS special education teacher Torie Esposito. However, this year, the event had a special significance.

“In 2025, we’re being told to be quiet — and not be so out, proud, and loud. We as adults need to encourage our youth that we’re educating ... to be proud about who they are and speak about their experiences, which are very different [from] mine as a queer adult,” said Schmidt.

Though Pride for PHS involved many teachers and outside organizations, PHS students played a significant role in managing the booths at the event. Sylven Waldman ’25, ran the makeup station; Pearl Agel ’25 ran the pottery booth, a perennial favorite; and Lilly Tuliszewski ’25, a leader of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club, led an trivia stand on LGBTQ+ history.

“GSA provideed a lot of educational resources for the community, and then we made trivia questions based on those resources. I think this event helps solidify that there is a place for [LGBTQ+ students] here in in our community, and that GSA will advocate for them whenever they need,” said Tuliszewski.

PHS students who simply participated, like Olivia Chen ’27, also enjoyed the event. “I think it’s really nice to have events organized for you to feel accepted in. I don’t necessarily need it because I don’t live in a terribly homophobic community ... but I definitely feel a lot more accepted. [PHS takes] queer people seriously instead of ignoring the issue or outwardly opposing it,” said Chen.

Osbaldo Morales ’25, the president of Latinos Unidos, emphasized the supportive nature throughout event. Though not a club focused on pride-related themes, Latinos Unidos presented a pride themed piñata.

“Pride Fest is an important event for the whole community because it just shows that there’s inclusivity. In this climate … I feel like everyone should know that they’re supported. There’s worries that they’re trying to push down sexuality down people’s throat, [but] we’re just being supportive,” said Morales.