By Harrison Terry

For nine months, from August to May, for 8 hours, I am unable to use the restroom. For the past year at Centennial High School, this has been an ongoing issue not only for trans students like me  but also for disabled students. The situation has gotten so bad that previous students have gotten UTIs from the inaccessibility. I’m Harrison Terry and I wish to bring this issue to your attention in hopes that you’ll be able to change Centennial for the better.

I was previously informed that the bathrooms were locked for several reasons. In one instance, I was told that the bathrooms are  locked because students were using them in inappropriate ways. I was also told it was because of a lack of janitors and other very different reasons. This was a complete disregard to us as students. Why is it that a small inconvenience led to the decision that left the students at Centennial unsafe and unprotected? There should be a goal at Centennial to make students feel comfortable and confident in their safety at school, but in this situation, the lack of care is outstanding. As I previously mentioned, in the past year there has been a student who contracted a UTI, and since then there has been minimal change. You cannot foster a safe environment in a place where children are becoming ill because of this issue. 

In my personal experience I can tell you that the accessibility to the single use bathrooms is a hazard to my physical health and wellbeing. It is absolutely tormenting to request to use the bathroom. I’m being stripped of my dignity to walk up to a stranger and ask if they would unlock the door for me to relieve myself. I feel like a child being potty trained or a puppy begging for a walk. I wish to have a shred of my humanity when going to the bathroom.

As a 3 year student at centennial, I love this school. I just really wish all the effort and time I put into this school and this community was reflected back to me even if it was something as small as allowing me to use the restroom. I appreciate you listening and taking my thoughts and others into consideration.