Quill: Becoming a Gender Befriender
Gold Award Class of 2024
Quill Cooke, a transgender youth and a dedicated Girl Scout, created a lasting impact on his community through his remarkable Gold Award project. Quill has highlighted the importance of gender inclusivity and education among educators in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD). His work is a testament to his resilience and courage and how small acts can have monumental impacts.
The root cause Quill addressed was the limited exposure and knowledge about LGBTQ+ identities among educators. Many teachers, though well-meaning, lacked the resources and understanding needed to support their LGBTQ+ students effectively. Quill identified this gap and dedicated his Gold Award project to bridging it.
His approach was multifaceted. He developed the "Gender Befriender" curriculum, which he presented to educators across the TTUSD. This curriculum provided crucial information on using inclusive language, respecting students' names and pronouns, and understanding gender identity. Quill’s presentations were not just informational but transformative, giving educators practical tools to create more inclusive classrooms.
Quill’s efforts reached far and wide. He led discussions at eight of ten district schools and extended his presentations to the Tahoe Expedition Academy, the Boys and Girls Club, and the TTUSD Wellness Center staff. His work also caught the attention of the TTUSD School Board, leading to meaningful conversations about the need for gender-neutral restrooms—a goal now in progress.
The feedback from his audience was overwhelmingly positive. Educators reported a newfound understanding and appreciation for gender inclusivity. One teacher, initially skeptical, was profoundly moved by Quill’s presentation, which changed her perspective on transgender issues and enhanced her empathy toward her students. Such testimonials really show the immense impact of Quill’s Gold Award project.
Quill’s project has sown seeds of change that will continue to grow. The educational materials, allyship posters, and gender-inclusive books he distributed will serve as lasting resources. His ongoing invitations to speak at various venues, including the Kaiser Permanente Pediatrician's Conference and the Two Sentinels Girl Scout Camp, further his desire to see a world full of Gender Befrienders.
Also, Quill’s applications to join California’s Safe School Bathrooms ad hoc committee and the School District’s Mental Health Panel highlight his commitment to broader systemic change. Quill aims to extend his impact beyond his immediate community by influencing policy and participating in high-level discussions in these spaces and beyond.
Quill Cooke’s Gold Award project is a bright example of how one individual's passion and dedication can create ripples of change. His work has made schools in his district more inclusive and inspired countless others to join the cause. Quill’s community efforts gifted him the Crutchfield-Healy Scholarship, which will aid him in attending a four-year university. In Quill’s words and actions, we find a powerful reminder that inclusivity is not just a goal but a journey we all need to partake in. Quill’s Gold Award Project is a call to action for everyone to contribute to a more inclusive world.
