The "Speaking Truth" forum, held Feb. 26, allows students to voice their experiences at West Linn High School.

The audience swarms in as Annie Kaiser explains, "The purpose of this evening was a conversation that took place on Twitter between graduates of West Linn High School who were actively discussing the differences in their experiences of going to school here."

"I think that upsetting incident online gave us an opportunity to start these conversations and start discussing what we a s a community can do to support, to educate, and to empower all students. To improve the culture at West Linn High School," Kaiser said.

Students submitted a Google Form of their experiences. Thespians read aloud what was written: "I have very few friends, and the ones I have are hesitant to hang out with me, because they were bullied for being my friend. Little did I know the people I was friends with made fun of me altogether behind my back," Philip Chan, senior read.

Audrey Lipsey, junior.

"Since my early childhood I found that I was often children's first encouter with a non-white individual, the same kids who asked me why my skin was so dark. Based off my color managed to range from Gandhi to terrorist anytime I excelled in class," Sydney Steinberg, senior, read.

"It's hard because I absolutely understand where all the sides are coming from. But at the same time, aren't people allowed to say we had a good high school experience. I mean a lot of terrible stuff happening, but not everyone was vocal about it. Students shouldn't feel guilty for feeling that they had a positive high school experience," Angela Tinio, junior, read.

The sharing continues. "Growing up as an openly gay colored man in the arts in a very white straight religious community can be a major pain. The worst thing is I actually put a lot into the community, you all came and saw me at shows but then turn around and asked me to change and tone down who I am," Haden Misra read.