Make it Big. Do it Right. Give it Class.

Redwood High School is a strong community. Our several competitive, performing, and student body groups are what make Redwood, Redwood. As we move forward, we must remind ourselves that one picture should not and does not define who we are. Our accomplishments and successes do.

By: The Redwood Gigantea Editorial Staff

Make it Big. Do it Right. Give it Class. This has been the motto of the Redwood Gigantea for decades. 

Here at the Gigantea, a student-produced publication, we dedicate ourselves to inform and share the plethora of diverse voices that we have here at Redwood. 

With over 300 stories published in a single school year, looking at The Gigantea shows our campus demonstrates a level of activity and complexity that is worth celebrating. One image does not define what Redwood High School, the Redwood Gigantea, or any further Redwood publications stand for.

Hate Speech vs. Freedom of Speech

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 

But hate speech is different from free speech. 

Hate speech is defined as any form of communication that attacks, threatens, insults, or degrades anyone based on characteristics like race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or nationality. 

School districts can impose punishments for hate speech. Visalia Unified School District board policy defines hate speech as, “abusive, threatening, insulting, harassing or intimidating speech, writing or symbols directed or targeted at another individual or group of individuals, which (1) infringes on their right to be secure or left alone at school; and, (2) which expresses prejudice against a particular group motivated by hostility towards the other individual’s real or perceived characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity,”   BP 5145.9 (b)

In school districts, students are allowed to exercise their freedom of speech, and the Gigantea was established to give the student voice a forum; however, school districts and schools can limit students’ speech if it disrupts the educational process or violates someone else’s rights or may cause harm or danger to other students.

Can’t Fight Hate With Hate

Recent events have reminded us that words and symbols matter. While strong emotions are understandable, responding with anger alone will not heal our community. 

It is easy, especially when something feels hurtful or offensive, to respond with anger. Strong feelings are natural. But history and experience teach us something important: we can’t fight hate with hate. 

Moments like these test more than policies; they test who we are as a community, as a society. We move forward by listening, learning, and holding ourselves to the values of respect and inclusion that define who we are.

When we answer harm with hostility, we often deepen division instead of resolving it. Real change does not come from escalating conflict. It comes from reflection, accountability, and education.

Other Redwood Voices

What began as a social media post quickly expanded into something much larger, sending waves through Redwood’s campus and far beyond it. For students, staff, and families, the incident was more than a headline — it was personal.

A multi-year staff member at Redwood described the immediate aftermath as tense but busy. 

They say that business in the office was as usual, but the phones were busy with many people who were concerned about what they had seen online. 

They add, “My first reaction, I was saddened at the fact that Redwood is such a good school, and we work so hard to withhold our pride and who we are. And whether it be a mistake, or whatever the situation, but it occurred, it just dampened what Redwood’s name is.”

A fellow multi-year administrative assistant shared that feeling.

They say, “[The office space] was very somber. It was actually pretty sad, to be honest with you. The morale was very down and it was a kind of low point in the office.”

They said the impact went beyond reputation. “It affected me in a sense that I was sad for a lot of students because I know that for them it was a personal hit. And what a lot of people don’t realize is that this place is a safe haven for a lot of our students, and in that moment, it was just very disappointing for some of us who have been here for a long time because it was something we had not experienced before.”

For a student athlete, they discovered the news during practice. They say, “I was at [practice] when one of my senior teammates was like, ‘Oh yeah, look what happened,’ and showed everyone. Our coach was just astonished because he recognized so many kids from the team.”

At first, they didn’t grasp how far it would spread. 

They add, “I was kind of disappointed in us as a school, but also, kids make mistakes, so I didn’t think too much of it originally until it reached national news, and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe we took it a little too far news-wise,’ but I don’t think it was meant to harm anyone specifically.”

But the ripple effect became clear the next day when the student and their family went out to eat. Wearing her Redwood hoodie, she felt eyes on her. “I felt targeted, like I didn’t do it, but I was getting attention for it.”

For another, the incident struck even deeper. 

They say, “I experienced a wide range of emotions: dumbfounded, hurt, angry, confused, disgusted. My heart was split in two. For myself, my students, and my community, while also being concerned regarding the doxing the students and their parents were facing.”

They then shared that it was the first time she had personally felt impacted since coming out. “I am continuing to process.”

Despite the pain, staff emphasized growth. “I don’t think people realize that mistakes are made; they’re kids,” A staff member said. “At the bottom line, any way you look at this, what happened does not define each and every one of us who are on this campus, and we also need to be very proud of what we do.”

As the campus continues to process, one thing is clear: the incident’s ripple effect reached far beyond a single photo, touching identity, safety, and the meaning of community at Redwood.

Identity and Teens

The teenage years are filled with confusion about identity and the world. Here at Redwood, it’s no different; most students at Redwood High School are searching for an identity in themselves that they have yet to fully understand.

That searching involves a lot of trial and error, and to put it simply, one cannot find themself without making mistakes and poor decisions along the way, whether intentionally or unintentionally, mistakes are bound to happen.

These choices, while some are more severe than others, stem from the fact that the teenage brain isn’t as developed as one may think.

The article, “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains”, written by Paul Thompson, states, “Gray matter, which brain researchers believe supports all our thinking and emotions, is purged at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent a year during this period.” 

Thompson goes on to add, “Brain cells and connections are only being lost in the areas controlling impulses, risk-taking and self-control. These frontal lobes, which inhibit our violent passions, rash actions, and regulate our emotions, are vastly immature throughout the teenage years.”

This highlights that teenagers lack the necessary maturity in their development to always make the right decisions.

But teenagers who make rash decisions are not only finding themselves in their own ways, but also, like every other teen, are running on their stunted brain development. 

Everyone, without fail, makes bad choices and mistakes. Knowing this, we shouldn’t let one incident define an individual, for making errors is a part of growing. If we shut someone down for one incident, can we ever grow as individuals? As a society?

Moving Forward

As student journalists we continue to see our campus, the good and bad of this vibrant place. There are so many activities and groups that are worth being celebrated, we should remember everyone for their best day. Not their worst.

As the Gigantea staff, we are going to remember that Redwood is more than one picture, and you should too.

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