When it comes to creating a safe space and allowing students to express themselves, Leo Doan does an amazing job at making sure there is a space for them to do so. Doan is a Senior at Hazelwood West High, and he is to be the president of the West Pride for the 2023-24 school year. 

West Pride is an inclusive group that welcomes students of the LGBTQ+ community and provides them with a safe place to express themselves.

“I enjoy helping other people and making sure that everybody around me feels comfortable and I like that they always have a safe space to do so,” Doan said in regards to West Pride.  

Hazelwood West and the community around the school have a large number of students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, and these students must be seen and supported in and out of school. West Pride is an inclusive group that welcomes students of the LGBTQ+ community and provides them with a safe place to express themselves. 

“[I am] proud of being the president of this club and I like it when people are comfortable to show their true selves. Doan said. 

While this group is already beneficial for the people in it, this club also benefits people outside of the school. Doan talks about how they are putting together a clothing drive for the students here at West and people in the community who would benefit from these resources. 

“We are currently planning some projects that will help the students in our school and community. Some of the projects that we are doing are a clothing drive for students here at school and designing a bulletin board that will have information on Pride and Diversity.” Doan said. 

Doan expresses his gratitude for the current West Pride sponsor, Ms. Shannell Tiemann, who he says “gratefully accepted” being the sponsor for the club. Doan explains he chose Ms. Tiemann because he feels he has a safe bond with her, and she is an adult he looks up to.