“This is my hill to climb alone.”

These words, said by “Glee’s” Kurt Hummell, played by Chris Colfer, represent just one of the many battles against the bullying that teenagers face today due to prejudice and bigotry. But on November 15, the Anti-Defamation League held its annual “Concert Against Hate” at the Kennedy Center to take a stand against these attacks—and help victims like Hummell realize they aren’t alone. While the evening was hosted by “Glee’s” Max Adler and Josh Sussman and featured the National Symphony Orchestra, some of Langley’s own could be seen under the spotlight as well.               

The Madrigals were one of the select high school choir groups that received the opportunity to sing with the National Symphony Orchestra. As the evening honored several people leading the fight against hate, the choir sang after a presentation honoring the mother of a boy who was harassed for being openly homosexual to the point of suicide.         

 “Since we were kids his age singing right after his story was told, I think it was especially moving. I know it was special for me,” said senior Hillary Benjamin.              

While the students received the opportunity to meet the various families honored in the presentation, even seeing the faces filling the theater was enough to leave a permanent mark in their minds.              

“The best part was seeing how we moved the audience, as they were in shock after hearing the story,” said senior Cameran Alavi.     

“We were close enough to see the faces of people who were actually crying when we sang,” added Benjamin.               

The students also cherished the opportunity to sing with one of the nation’s top performing arts groups.  “Singing with the NSO on that stage felt like I was in a dream,” said Benjamin.         

But in the end, the overall message of the cause was what really made the evening what it was. “Just knowing that we made an impact, however big or small, on the people in the crowd who had families or friends hurt by discrimination made the whole night worthwhile,” said senior Caitie Simpson.