HEBRON — Hebron Academy recently celebrated the Day of Silence, a movement nationwide across school campuses that calls attention to bullying and harassment among communities.

The initiative began 17 years ago at the University of Virginia campus, but the academy has adopted the day for seven years, through organizers of GSTA-The BRIDGE, the school’s gay-straight ally group.

Members of Hebron’s community took an optional vow of silence to honor victims of social wrongdoings, commencing the movement at morning meeting by reading anonymous statements about the significance of the day, which were authored by Hebron’s own. The school also flew the rainbow flag at the center of campus.

Julie Middleton, associate director of admission and faculty adviser for the GSTA-The BRIDGE, said, “I am so moved by how Hebron students and faculty rally to support an event like the Day of Silence. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of vocal individuals who are willing to organize and speak out for causes that deserve attention and action, and we look forward to continuing these important traditions to celebrate diversity and promote tolerance among young people.”

Hebronians gathered at the flagpole with a photo and silent communication exercise after lunch. In celebration of differences, those involved wore clothes representative of each color of the spectrum and assembled in a rainbow-colored formation for a photo. More than a quarter of Hebron’s community participated in the day in some way.

Once at the flagpole, Hebron students, faculty and staff signed a pledge against intolerance and harassment, which has since acquired more than 50 signatures and is hanging in Sturtevant Hall.

The day concluded with a “breaking of the silence,” initiated by ringing Hebron’s Victory Bell at 3:15 p.m. Students and teachers gathered for rainbow cookies, photos and conversation to cap off the day.

Hebron also honors Purple Anti-Bullying Days and participates in No Name Calling Week. The school has also worked with the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence to bring presentations to campus. GSTA-The BRIDGE holds weekly meetings, movie nights, off-campus trips and collaborates with surrounding school’s gay-straight ally groups on initiatives.