Meet the members of Colors Club

A glimpse into a few members of Colors Club and the interesting facts that define them.

Tessa Gibson and Katherine Shoppa

Caroline VanderWeg ’26 (Tessa Gibson)

Name: Caroline VanderWeg

Graduation year: 2026

Pronouns: She/her

WSS: How do you identify? 

Caroline VanderWeg: Lesbian and demisexual.

WSS: What is your favorite color?

CV: Pink or sage green.

WSS: Why did you join Colors Club?

CV: I did Colors Club last year and it was really fun. I guess I just wanted a community of people to hang out with.

WSS: What’s your favorite part about Colors Club?

CV: [My favorite part] is that it’s really chill. You can kind of do whatever; you don’t have to talk to anyone, but you can. Everyone there [is] really nice.

WSS: What’s your favorite part of the LGBTQ+ community?

CV: It’s nice to feel connected with people and get to know them.

WSS: What would you say to people who are nervous about joining Colors Club?

CV: It’s really chill. There’s not any pressure or anything; you can just kind of do whatever you want, and everyone is really nice.

 

Andy Ham ’24 (Tessa Gibson)

Name: Andy Ham 

Graduation year: 2024

Pronouns: They/Them

WSS: How do you identify? 

Andy Ham: Non-Binary

WSS: What is your favorite color?

AH: Green

WSS: Why did you join Colors Club?

AH: I’ve been reading a lot about social movements, and something that I found really, really effective is groups. And I think if the queer community is able to be a group and support each other, that’ll just make us stronger in the long run, especially now. So, community-wise, I think it’s just the best option.

WSS: What is your favorite part about the colors club?

AH: Being able to do the things that I can do. I’ve had a lot of freedom to just talk about whatever interests me. And that’s been really great. Ms. Barnhouse has been incredibly supportive of whatever we decide to do.  She really just lets this be our club and just lets us do whatever we want, which is great.

WSS: Favorite Part About LGBTQ+ Community?

AH: It’s really supportive. I would say there are a lot of things that queer people get excluded from even in the community. But I would say the majority of the time it’s a very fun community, especially like, for pride events, or online. It’s a lot of just fun and jokes, that sort of thing.

WSS: What would you say to people who are nervous about joining Colors Club?

AH: I would say that you don’t have to be queer. You don’t have to be LGBTQ+ to be part of this group. Like if you’re an ally, that’s all that we asked from you. If you’re worried about not fitting in, there are so many people who are loud or quiet or in between. There are so many people that you can find some sort of friendship with.

 

Hayden Dillon ’23 (Tessa Gibson)

Name: Hayden Dillon

Graduation year: 2023

Pronouns: He/him, they/them

WSS: How do you identify? 

Hayden Dillon: Non-binary and asexual and demiromantic 

WSS: What is your favorite color?

HD: Blue and black

WSS: Why did you join Colors Club?

HD: I joined Colors Club because I wanted a place to kind of just hang out and feel comfortable and be around more people who are like me.

WSS: What’s your favorite part about Colors Club?

HD: The community: the people in it. 

WSS: What would you say to people who are nervous about joining Colors Club?

HD: I would say they’re very nice people. So I wouldn’t be too scared about like doing colors club. Sometimes the people in it can be a little loud and rambunctious but overall, it’s a great community. So I would really recommend anyone to join.

 

Vivian Oxenford ’26 (Tessa Gibson)

Name: Vivian Oxenford

Graduation year: 2026

Pronouns: Any pronouns

WSS: How do you identify? 

Vivian Oxenford: I’m still questioning my sexuality [and gender]; it’s like a roller coaster.

WSS: What is your favorite color?

VO: Pink.

WSS: Why did you join Colors Club?

VO: I joined Colors Club mostly so I could hang out with my friends and find a place that I could feel accepted in. This is a very safe and calming environment, especially after a very stressful day in school. 

WSS: What’s your favorite part about Colors Club?

VO: Probably the people that are in it. They are very cool and very accepting people, and I probably feel safer talking around that than I do around anybody else

WSS: What would you say to people who are nervous about joining Colors Club?

VO: It’s okay to be nervous at first, but it’s a very cool place … I joined Colors Club in middle school. And when I joined that one I was really nervous, so I get it. And all I have to say is you should [join] because it’s really cool and really calming, and like I said before a really cool place. We’re really cool people and Ms. Barnhouse [the club sponsor] is great.