On the corner of Potter and Dempster St. in the suburban town of Park Ridge, Ill. lies what seems to many, like a typical high school from the outside. But this high school, home to approximately 2,000 students, is a mere example of the American melting pot. With students from countries all over the world, and over 50 languages spoken, Maine East High School is not your average public high school. As a school defined by diversity, the message of Maine East exceeds far beyond the importance of academic achievement and delves into the importance of understanding the meaning and importance of living in a global society.

As an American-born Greek, my Hellenic heritage has always been an integral part of my life. I have been raised to embrace my culture and share my unique story with others. I could not be more fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend a high school like Maine East, where students from distinct cultural backgrounds, like myself, are able to openly express and embrace who they are.

I believe that going to a high school where diversity is embraced has taught me life lessons that no textbook could ever teach me.I now realize that in my core classes of math, science, English, and history, I was learning about the core of my peers: what country they immigrated from, what languages they spoke, their unique traditions, etc. I have learned the importance in celebrating differences to create unity; I have learned the importance of being open to learning about others and their distinct backgrounds and cultural identities. But most of all, I have realized that learning about others is crucial to learning more about the world we live in.

The lessons I have learned as a student at Maine East are lessons that have stuck with me to this day and will forever be a part of who I am. Attending a college that is away from home has helped me realize the immense impact that my high school experience has had on my college career. I am now able to enter new environments with an open mind, eager to learn not just about topics related to my major but to learn more about the different people around me. I am able to connect with people that I meet on a daily basis through culture, as I share my own story, and learn from their unique stories.

Maine East High School does not just create academic scholars; it creates citizens of a global society. It shapes people who have the ability to look at the world with an open mind and embrace the different cultures, races, and religions that define this country. It shapes people who can communicate with anyone; people who can step into new environments and adapt with ease, and people who can accept others for who they are. It is fascinating that I have gained a greater sense of the world by attending a high school in a Midwest suburb, and that is something I am forever grateful for.