At the home varsity basketball game on January 23, 2026, a costumed student body remained silent in the bleachers until the Greyhounds scored six points. The Silent Night tradition, which dates back to the early 2010s, returned this year with a new twist, as Gilman’s One Love Club spread awareness and provided resources about teen dating violence in the lobby before the big game.

Club leaders Samuel Nuermberger ’26, Drew Klein’27, and Asher Mathai ’26 decided the club should make an appearance at several athletic events this school year to promote the important message of the One Love Foundation to Greyhound fans. Director of Wellness and Support Jean Perez and Director of Health Education Bessie Oster, who are advisors for the club, helped the boys develop the concept of breaking the silence of teen dating violence to coincide with the basketball game’s theme.

Relationship abuse among teens and in high school relationships can be physical, verbal, or emotional, the club leaders explained. “It is important for high school students and their families to learn about the different types of dating violence and to create strategies to prevent them for themselves and for others,” said Nuermberger. “We hope this event will teach people about the importance of recognizing both unhealthy — and also healthy — relationships,” added Mathai. In addition to wristbands, the group handed out “conversation starters” to support parents in engaging their teens in critical conversations about relationships.

The club’s founding advisor, Assistant Head of Upper School Beth Knapp, was instrumental in bringing the club to Gilman back in 2015. She had a personal connection to the family of Yeardley Love, the Baltimore native for whom the foundation was named. Tragically, Love, who played lacrosse at Notre Dame Prep during high school and then at the University of Virginia, was killed by an ex-boyfriend shortly before her college graduation in 2010. “When I came to Gilman, I realized that One Love Foundation’s goals of fostering healthy relationships complimented the Gilman mission of producing men of character who make a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work,” said Knapp. “We’re all in all kinds of relationships, and making those relationships healthier can lead to a ripple of positive impacts.”

Oster and Perez had been looking to expand upon the wellness festival held at Gilman in recent years into more consistent programming throughout the year. “Healthy relationships are important for all ages, and we thought the message would resonate well through athletics, particularly given the history of the One Love organization,” said Perez.

Throughout the school year, the One Love club meets regularly and holds discussions following a Foundation-provided lesson or video presented by the club leaders. Students who want to get involved should attend a meeting, where conversations about relationships are encouraged. Klein noted that previous club leaders and upperclassmen “always created a welcoming and open environment” and “gave me a time and place to look forward to being open.” He hopes that during his leadership, he can “continue to grow this club and make an impact.”

Be on the lookout for the One Love club at a lacrosse game this spring!