When I was 10, I moved to the United States and joined a brand new class of students. For the first time in my life I felt like an outsider.

Glancing around my fifth grade classroom I felt an exclusion beyond just being new. I realized I was the only person of color, and I was alone in  my diversity.

Seven years later, I no longer feel like I am alone, because I attend a more diverse school. This year I can take pride in being a part of the multicultural show that celebrates cultural diversity.

The show symbolizes different cultures coming together and educating the school about its cultural differences. It’s about being proud of who you are and where you come from.

The multicultural show is an acknowledgement of the various backgrounds at school. The show represents a enjoyable and educational way for people to learn more about our peers because we often do not often know much about our peers. While we might know their countries of origin, we don’t necessarily know their heritage.

Although the school is diverse, that diversity isn’t always acknowledged by  all students. One of the show’s main goals is to change this.

By either participating in the show or by attending it, students should gain understanding and appreciation for the cultural differences of the variety of students in our school.

The show is not just about race or ethnicity; it represents the range of cultures at our school that are not always acknowledged. It  tell the story of many and their origins in a way that encompasses us all.

While the Latino show displayed the Latinos in our school and the Black History Show acknowledged the struggle and perseverance of African Americans, the multicultural show represents those  of us who are often lost in the middle. It focuses on those of us who, as a minority within the school, are often hidden in the shadows of the majorities.

I am proud to be part of a show that encompasses and showcases the minorities in the school. By bringing minority students together the show can unify us in one community. Sharing information with each other about our cultural backgrounds can establish a sense of comfort that allows students to reach out to each other despite their differences.

Members of the student body should take advantage of the opportunity that the show offers to embrace the diversity of  our school and apply the lessons learned in this experience to broaden  their perspectives.