Sound Off: Does Manteca do Enough to Honor its Diversity?

Manteca High is a diverse campus made up of at least 32 different ethnic groups, according to school records. With the Multicultural Assemblies on Wednesday, does the school do enough to honor its diversity throughout the year? 

Nora Hystad, reporter 

Yes, Manteca High's commitment to honoring its diversity extends beyond other schools with the Multicultural Assembly on Wednesday. This assembly serves as visible celebrations of the school's rich tapestry of cultures.  

Beyond this assembly, the curriculum incorporates diverse perspectives and histories across subject areas, fostering an inclusive learning environment where students can see themselves reflected in the materials they study. Additionally, clubs and organizations dedicated to different ethnicities and cultures provide spaces for students to express themselves, share their traditions, and build community. 

Moreover, events such as the multicultural assembly, heritage months, and the clubs Culturally significant further highlight and celebrate the diversity within Manteca High. By consistently integrating these initiatives into the school's fabric, Manteca High demonstrates its ongoing commitment to honoring and embracing its diverse student body, fostering a sense of belonging and respect among all members of the school community. 

Jesus Sarmiento, reporter 

I believe we can do more when it comes to multiculture. While assemblies provide a platform for various ethnic groups to showcase their tradition, music, food and dance, there are other ways in which the school could enhance its appreciation. One suggestion is to incorporate more cultural education into the curriculum. This can include classes where they teach about other cultures. Additionally, we can have assemblies or make short videos to show cultural awareness. 

 This can highlight the various ethnic groups on our campus. Furthermore, we can go beyond the school grounds and team up with local companies to promote different cultures around Manteca and to encourage the students to engage in service projects. Overall, while the multicultural assemblies are a good start, Manteca high school could take additional steps to ensure that diversity is truly honored and celebrated throughout the year. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and appreciation for all cultures, the school can create a more enriching and welcoming environment for all its students.  

Dario Rodriguez, reporter 

The multicultural rally is a great way to celebrate and bring together all the different ethnic groups that we house at MHS. I had no idea that there were so many ethnic groups in the world. However, I think MHS likes to pick certain times to focus on celebrating diversity, but throughout the year the school isn’t necessarily bad at noticing and supporting our diversity, but it is somewhat ignored. Especially when our school’s population is mostly minorities, recognizing culture and diversity is very important. This is the first multi-cultural rally in seven years, so that can give you an idea of how much MHS focuses on the student body. We have always been a sports-focused school but that shouldn’t divert the attention from the people who don’t participate in sports but make a significant contribution to the school. Is the Multicultural assembly a great thing for the school? Yes, but is it enough? No, the school has many ethnic clubs and perhaps those clubs can do things throughout the year to encourage ethnic acceptance. 

Bryan Jimenez, reporter

I believe that Manteca High School appreciates and honors its diversity throughout the school year, and it proves this with the Multicultural Assembly on Wednesday. It’s been about 7 years since they’ve first had a Multicultural Assembly and they are bringing it to create a fun, and enjoyable moment for students. It’s a way of celebrating its diversity by showcasing their tradition, culture, music, food, and dances. It can help people from other ethnicities feel much more comfortable on schools’ campus, and further help create more connections with students. It has also done a good job of hosting mini games which help honor its diversity furthermore, especially during Hispanic Heritage month and black history month 

Stephany Medina, reporter

Manteca High School prides itself on diversity by creating inclusivity on campus. Throughout its campus, Manteca High holds club meetings, under the pretense of ethnicity. By creating inclusivity, Manteca High creates a welcoming atmosphere for students regardless of ethnicity. clubs, create after-school activities to promote the culture through round-ups. HYLC holds various round-ups in Modesto, consisting of food and music, granting new friendships to foster. Furthermore, creating Lunch Time Activities and Dress Up Days to promote different heritage months. Multicultural has been put on pause for too long, bringing it back will create a fun assembly for students to attend. The Multicultural Assembly creates diversity where each ethnicethroup can showcase this through music and dance. 

Caylen Garibay, reporter 

I think the idea of a multicultural assembly is an interesting thing to do; I personally don’t see the purpose, but I also see no harm in it, and I don’t care if it happens or not. The assembly may end out making some happy for the appreciation of diversity at the school and I can hardly see anyone ever having a problem witch such a thing unless they are racist is some kind of way. 

I think this assembly may be a great way to simply bring the school together and bring respect to one another, but on the other hand I feel that some may see it as a waste of time. It is more of a general celebration that has a lack of flavor in some eyes which is a respectable opinion. 

 Also, I don’t see any ethical problems in our area that may be of concern regarding respect or a desire for recognition. Either way I do think I could be a fun thing to do for social reasons, but not for any real reasons that have super deep values.  

I don’t believe this will be a major problem in any way shape or form and I see it most likely as something people will probably just forget a few days after it happens if I am being honest. 

Isaiah White, reporter

Yes, I feel like the multicultural assembly is going to show how much our school cares for the students and this is showing Manteca high school is showing they want to show that we do support diversity at our school. When I was talking to a student about this whole assembly, she said that it was the first one in five years and it’s very important to all 32 different ethnic groups. I feel like this is going to make our school come together because this shows that we really do care about kids of all the ethnic groups. I really am excited about this assembly because I can’t wait to see what they put together for us and the whole school is going to be there and see what they have up their sleeve for the multicultural assembly and this is the exciting part which I can’t wait to see the success they will have after the rally and people half to go to this rally. So do I think this rally will have success yes indeed no doubt about it not being something that isn’t successful because they been putting in work to make this the best thing that happened in five years since the last multicultural assembly.  

Gabriel Martinez, reporter

Despite being made up of at least 32 different ethnic groups according to school records, it feels like the school does not do enough to honor its diversity throughout the school year. Despite the multicultural assemblies taking place this week, this is only the first time in seven years that MHS has held a multicultural assembly.  Other than this, Manteca has made a minimal effort to embrace its diversity. While this is the case, I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. This is because high school students should be old enough to embrace diversity themselves. In the United States, diversity is just about everywhere you go, so people should naturally embrace diversity, whether you are in school, the store, or anywhere else. Also, I believe people already embrace diversity, and the school’s broad range of ethnic groups should leave no room for discrimination, but instead leaves plenty of room for diversity. Ultimately, Manteca doesn’t do enough to honor its diversity throughout the school year, but that is not necessarily a bad thing due to the broad range of ethnic backgrounds between students.