Our school is diverse, there’s no doubt about that, but how well appreciated is diversity in our society? Sure, every student is unique in their own way. Still, the cultural and social elements of which learning in classrooms with peers of different genders, races, political views, religions and beliefs is underappreciated in the average student’s eyes. How often do you think a teenager sits in their classroom, aware of being able to receive an education with and from people from different cultural and logical points of view? I don’t think that would cross a high school student’s mind very often.

To me it’s amazing that as a Roman Catholic, Mexican and German, female, I can have a discussion with someone who shares none of the same characteristics or opinions. It is even more incredible that in one aspect we are not aware of those traits but in another sense, they are what creates a cultural understanding of the other person’s opinion. Learning in a diverse environment promotes individuality, pride and respect for students themselves and their classmates. There is no better way to prepare young people for the real world than to surround them with peers who are different than them.

The unique blend of students at our school is represented well socially through the various clubs and activities they participate in. Through clubs and classes such as Diversity Council, the exchange programs, social studies, communication arts and foreign language we are taught about different cultures and ways of life. It’s one thing to acknowledge we are surrounded by diversity, but it is another to appreciate diversity and be grateful for the opportunity to learn from it.