The use of a girls’ high school locker room by a transgender teen has sparked a debate and divide in a Missouri town.

Lila Perry is a 17-year-old transgender teen who began to feel like a girl at age 13 and began to change her physical appearance when classes started in August.

Perry began using the girls’ locker room at Hillsboro High during her senior year to change for gym as she, like any other girl, wears skirts, makeup and styles her hair. Perry’s school offered her a single-occupancy restroom, but she did not want to use it because she did not want to feel segregated from the rest of her peers.

Perry was clearly seen as unwelcome in the locker room in less than two weeks of school. Many students were uncomfortable as they saw Perry as a boy in a wig changing in the girls’ locker room. These students gossiped about her in the halls, complained to teachers, principals and even parents.

The debate began at an August school board meeting where a Hillsboro native, Derrick Good, spoke on behalf of a group of parents.

“Girls have a right to privacy of their own bodies, and parents have a right to raise their children the way they want,” Good said.

Even students staged a walkout to “give the students a voice.”

When Perry found out about the protests, she dropped out of gym class. On Fri., however, Perry, with help from others, held her own rally.

“When it comes to bathroom access for transgender students, guidance is pretty clear as far as the federal government and LGBT advocacy groups are concerned: Kids should be allowed to use the restroom and changing room that matches their gender identity,” CNN.com said.

Senior legislative counsel for the Human Rights Campaign, Alison Gill, said that students can use unisex or single occupancy bathrooms if they would like to, but it should be their choice, not the school’s.

Missouri as a state does not have any laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in education. The Hillsboro School District’s anti-discrimination policy makes no reference to gender identity.

Despite all that is going on around her, Perry is staying strong.

The beginning of the year can become quite pricey when paying for fees, buying school supplies and new clothes; however, the school has a way to help cut some of the prices that many people do not know of.

For many years, the guidance office has collected school necessities to give to students who are in need of supplies.

They have folders, binders, paper, notebooks, notecards, many writing utensils and much more miscellaneous materials available. The supplies are accessible all year or until they run out.

The child guidance and family solutions counselor, Sally Dean, is the main person in charge of the school supplies. She wants to make sure any child in need of a school item can have it for class. With the help of community churches, like Stow Alliance Fellowship, along with some teachers and students, Dean is able to provide the free supplies.

“It is wonderful to see those in our community thinking of the students who may be in need of school supplies,” guidance counselor Jason Lepard said.

Students eligible do not have to be considered part of a low income family to obtain the items.

“We do not ask for any proof that the student is in need, so anyone can get them,” Dean said.

The generous idea was not founded by a specific person but was more of a group decision by the counseling staff, who are always around to help with any student’s needs.

On average, she sees about 20 people every year who are there to ask for some materials. There may be many more in the school who need some, but students may not even know about the stock.

“I did not know [about the supplies] at all. I feel like they should definitely broadcast it more because I know a lot of kids who could really use it,” senior Shiloh Platt said.

Even though many are not aware of the supplies, teachers were notified to refer students to the office if they notice someone lacking what they need. Getting the word out about its existence to everyone can show how beneficial the donations could be to students.

The positives of the help obtaining the school items stands out; however, some students can see where others could possibly abuse its readiness.

For now, the supplies go to each student who truly ought to have the supplies. If anyone would like to help others by donating any items, new or gently used, the guidance office will be willing to take it.

“It is good that they support people in need. It is generous of them,” senior Megan Marks said.

Knowing that there is such a place to go for some supplies, maybe students will improve their readiness for each class.

“We know back to school expenses can really add up and be a hardship for some families,” Dean said, “and we want to help students come to school [each day] ready to learn.”