February 12th, during the annual senior photo—a tradition featuring all seniors united above a student-chosen slogan—the atmosphere of unity shattered drastically. As a Redwood Senior standing on that field, I watched as a moment meant for unity was traded for a display of hate.
The opportunity came about during a busy day on campus. Soon-to-be Redwood Ranger 8th graders were touring the campus while we prepared for our traditional photo. Originally, our shirts were supposed to be organized into the sentence “ALWAYS LEGIT CLASS OF 2026”. Unfortunately, during such a memorable bonding event, a group of nine fellow seniors on the school’s ASB team reckoned it would be humorous to gather next to one another and configure a homophobic slur. While some speculate the slur was a targeted reaction to two 8th graders holding hands, the ghastly reality is that these ASB leaders looked at a slogan meant to bring together their peers and saw only an opportunity to coordinate a display of disgust.
The irony is as sharp as it is painful. These were not simply students; they are leaders expected to support their peers and represent our entire community. This situation has created such an infamous outrage that it has already climbed the ranks to national news, and many past and current students have plenty to say about it. One user on TikTok says, “I’m ashamed to be in that school,” showing utter disgust at the actions taken at Redwood. At no point should we ever have to be ashamed of where we receive our education. Another user, Spencer Hunt, noted: “this is what happens when hate becomes casual. It becomes tradition, it becomes a joke. It becomes this f*** a** photo.”
This problem is bigger than Redwood; it is about how specific groups are treated in America, a place meant for all. Not only has this caused public outrage, but internally, students are increasingly frustrated with the administration. Principal Brandon Gridiron sent emails titled “Upholding the Standard of Excellence at Redwood High School,” promising that hate speech would never be supported.
All would be well if it weren’t for the fact that students put these emails through numerous AI text checkers. To everyone’s shock, these emails came back as allegedly—and in some cases, 100%—AI-written. While AI checkers are not absolute, if these are the same tools educators use to catch students “cheating,” imagine the betrayal students felt realizing the administration may have used those same tools to sweep a hazardous situation behind the curtain.
These events don’t just make LGBTQ+ students feel targeted; they make them feel silenced. Many have said they felt unsafe in that moment and remain uncomfortable with the overcompensation Redwood is using to salvage its reputation. For those few ASB members to corrupt a memorable moment into a national sensation, and for the principal to allegedly utilize AI to generate an apology instead of taking a few moments to include his own emotions, is not only negligent—it is a betrayal. To call this “concerning” would be putting it lightly; it is an insult to every student who expects honesty from their leaders.
A Redwood Senior
Shout out and well said by this young Redwood student.
I would like to hear her reaction to the fact that someone has put together a social media page specifically to slam these students individually. While their obviously unwise decision was not aimed at a specific person what’s happening to them is becoming quite dangerous. They don’t deserve a death sentence. Where does the hate end? It is never justified, even towards people (especially kids) who make mistakes.