‘I hope that someday, I am truly proud of where I came from,’ Paso Robles grad writes
Editor’s Note: Paso Robles High School graduate and San Francisco State University (SFSU) student Ava Hughes contributed to this reporting as part of The Tribune’s Diversity Storytelling Project — where we tell stories in partnership with leaders of underrepresented communities in SLO County. She reflected on the impact participating in the project had on her perception of how SLO County views her and other LGBTQ youth. This is written in Ava’s own words and has been lightly edited by Tribune staff.
It’s been a while since I finished my journal entries, and having gone through the process of interviews while working on my own writing, I’ve had plenty to reflect upon at the end of this project for The Tribune.
It feels like forever ago that the hate crime happened at Paso Robles High School, and in a way, it doesn’t even feel like I’m the same person that spoke in front of that crowd at the Coming Out Against Hate event. It’s hard to believe that coming out against strangers was once such a terrifying and foreign concept for me.
The events that occurred during my senior year and the part I took in them completely changed my life — my perception, personality, and plans for life were shaken in the best way possible, all because of a horrible thing that happened.
I in no way want to give any power to the PRHS students that committed the hate crime, but in a way, I’m so grateful for the “wake-up call” that they gave me. It made me realize that I have responsibilities, and I have to do my part to take care of the LGBTQIA+ community.
There was no feasible way for me to sit idly by and allow me and my fellow queer students to be disrespected and ignored at school. To watch as our school district refused to accept diversity, inclusivity and progress on campus. I feel the need to protect and nurture the younger members of my community, and it all starts with demolishing the oppressive foundations society is built upon.
So, I faced my fears and used my anger and frustration to push me through the letters, speeches, interviews and meetings that followed. People were listening — whether they liked it or not — and for the first time, I felt that I truly had a purpose.
Through writing and speaking on these topics, my identity also became my passion, and I realized that moving forward, I could use these gifts to support my community in the ways I’ve always dreamed of.
Once the media attention died down initially and reality kicked in, I started to become restless — just because I didn’t have anywhere to project my voice didn’t mean I wasn’t done speaking. I couldn’t go back to how I was before the incident, and I was itching to share my endless supply of thoughts on LGBTQIA+ issues. I was then approached by The Tribune to participate in this storytelling project as a young queer person, and I finally had another outlet for my passion.
So, I got to work writing pages upon pages of my reflections upon myself, my school, my town, my county and ultimately society as a whole. I felt a completely new type of elation, as it opened my eyes to abstract topics I hadn’t fully explored yet. This project constantly challenged me to take accountability for my thoughts, and showed me how I could take them into action.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThe Tribune's Diversity Storytelling Project
This story is the one in a series elevating the voices of underrepresented members of the San Luis Obispo County community. Here’s how the project works.
Why did we report this story?
The Tribune recognized that San Luis Obispo County is home to countless people who identify as part of diverse communities, but the voices of these communities are not always amplified effectively by the news media. The goal of the Diversity Storytelling Project is to partner with leaders from these communities to tell stories from their daily life so that Tribune readers understand what its like to live here for people who identify as part of minority groups.
How did we report this story?
After partnering with a participant, we ask them to commit to a period of journaling for four weeks in which they reflect on moments of both inclusion and discrimination in their daily life by documenting these instances in a manner best suited to them. Some may choose to use a notepad, the Notes app on their phone, voice memos or a combination of art and journaling. Each week, the participant meets with a Tribune reporter to review their notes and reflect on the process. Together, the journalist and storyteller craft an article that they feel best represents their lived experience.
Interested in being our next storyteller?
We need more storytellers? Would you like to be one? Reach out to Tribune reporters Stephanie Zappelli (szappelli@thetribunenews.com) or Kaytlyn Leslie (kleslie@thetribunenews.com) to volunteer or nominate someone you know. Individual storytellers are given a $100 Amazon gift card in recognition of their contributions to this project.
Overall, taking part in this journalistic process has been one of the best opportunities I have ever been given. I’m currently attending San Francisco State University majoring in anthropology, but because of this project, I’ve begun highly considering pursuing journalism. I’ve gotten a taste of the liberation brought by writing — by reflecting on the communities within our society, the way they interact, and the outcomes of these interactions. I discovered what lesbianism means to me.
And although I no longer live in SLO County, I keep it in mind, and I still want to improve it. I still owe that to the queer community there, and I hope that someday, I am truly proud of where I came from. It’s all a work in progress, but so far, I’m happy with the new foundations I’m building.
Explore Ava’s story by reading the first installation of the diversity storytelling project — all about life as a LGBTQ+ youth living in Paso Robles.
The Tribune is looking for people who are part of underrepresented communities to help us take a closer look at life in San Luis Obispo County. If you or someone you know might be interested in partnering with the Tribune in the Diversity Storytelling Project, please contact reporters Sara Kassabian (skassabian@thetribunenews.com) or Kaytlyn Leslie (kleslie@thetribunenews.com).
This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 10:58 AM.
