Pictured from left; Ms. Mary Ann Ashley, GSA co-advisor; Ms. Kimber Petrie, GSA co-advisor; Ms. Colleen Conklin, PFLAG Social Justice Award Recipient; Mr. Mark Passamonte, CCS High School Principal.

CANTON -- The Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays St. Lawrence County Social Justice Award recognizes and honors the student leaders of Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) at public schools in the county.

PFLAG offers this award at participating schools, to the student member of the GSA club who has made the greatest contribution to advance equality and justice for all students at their school.

Ms. Colleen Conklin, a senior planning to work in the veterinary field, has worked with the Canton High School GSA since its inception. Ms. Conklin and has helped orchestrate numerous activities such as The Appreciation Garden, Day of Silence, Wear Purple to Support Anti-Bullying Day, the Pumpkin Bowling Tournament which brings students from different social niches together, the Food Drive for the Church and Community Worker's Program, and distribution of SAFE SPACE locker stickers.

Additionally, Ms. Conklin assisted with the Alumni Forum for Gay and Lesbian graduates which hosted guest speakers to talk about their high school experiences and current careers and lives.

PFLAG and Canton Central School are proud to honor Ms. Colleen Conklin's dedication, integrity, intellect, and sense of humor in promoting acceptance, understanding and anti-bullying.