Thomas Friedman, a New York Times columnist and three time Pulitzer Prize winner, will speak at the high school May 21 about how St. Louis Park relates to his new book, “Thank You for Being Late.”

Friedman said he plans to speak in order to raise money and awareness for the St. Louis Park Public Schools Foundation (SLPPSF), which he finds valuable because of its work to help students and teachers.

“I am going to talk about how Saint Louis Park fits into the new book I am writing,” Friedman said. “I am (also) going to talk about the kind of values I learned growing up there and the importance of community and good public schools.”

SLPPSF secretary Mim Kagol said higher funds result in more money to help teachers increase academic achievement.

“We just want to have the chance to showcase what a great district (St. Louis Park) is and raise awareness for the foundation. People who might come to hear Tom Friedman will also go away thinking, ‘wow what a fabulous granting program they have to support teachers,’” Kagol said. “It is helping to celebrate what a great community St. Louis Park is.”

Senior Benedict Chong said he thinks Friedman returning to his hometown boosts the community’s enthusiasm towards education.

“I think it raises morale because a lot of times in school people think a class is pointless, but when they see Thomas Friedman’s success it seems like they could do that as well,” Chong said.

Friedman said he plans to speak about how his experience with diversity in Park schools and the community impacts his body of work and shapes his life.

“I had a great public education, went to school with a diverse group of kids, more economically diverse than racially diverse in my day, but it was a great community building exercise. I happen to think strong communities are the foundation of all good things,” Friedman said. “(Park) has become a much more diverse place, both in terms of race and religion and yet, I still find that it has retained a lot of its community feel.”

Friedman said he believes diverse public schools are important in uniting various cultures.

“I am kind of a public school snob in a way. I really believe that great public schools are the backbone and foundation of our country. They are a great way for integrating people from many different backgrounds,” Friedman said.

Chong said he hopes to hear Friedman speak because Friedman found journalistic success through a similar high school experience.

“If the people in this city see someone who is really successful who came from St. Louis Park, and is now telling us how important (SLPPSF) is, I feel like people will be a lot more open to supporting it,” Chong said.

Kagol said almost all of the money raised will go to SLPPSF and their granting fund for teachers; the rest of which will pay for event expenses.

“Here’s a hometown boy, a product of St. Louis Park schools who has really done well and that always reflects back and he is always generous in saying that he was lucky to grow up in St. Louis Park and to be in our schools,” Kagol said. “I really hope that word gets out in as many ways as it can so even people outside of St. Louis Park will say, well this is a wonderful chance to hear a great writer and speaker.”

The event will take place at 10 a.m. May 21 at St. Louis Park High School. General admission tickets can be purchased for $50. VIP tickets are also available for $150 and include brunch with Friedman.