Members of the Port Jefferson School community braved the rain and joined hundreds of other supporters to take part in the annual Out of the Darkness walk, recently held at Jones Beach. Their goal, and the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Gay Straight Alliance, help to create awareness and hope for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “We thank our students for their intrepid spirit in joining this movement to honor those who have struggled with mental health issues,” Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan said. The students were accompanied at the event by school social worker and adviser to the GSA Kristin Britt and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Christine Austen.