I moved to Issaquah Highlands when I was around 2 years old, and many changes have occurred during my 14 years of living here. I have watched this community grow and become a place that I am proud to call home.
The Issaquah Highlands community has allowed me to connect with people of all ages from different ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds. My father is of Japanese descent and my mother is Filipino. While living in this friendly neighborhood, being from two different backgrounds has provided me with a general feeling of acceptance as well as a wide spectrum of perspectives.
My parents’ generation grew up in a time when schools and communities were not as multicultural as they are now. Forty years ago, diversity was not looked at with the same value and importance as it is today. What gives me promise of a hopeful tomorrow is the movement forward to a point where no ethnic, racial, or social majority exists.
Over my 12 years of attending school here, I have formed many lifelong friendships. Some of them have moved away, either out of state or back to their home country. From the beginning, our schools have emphasized the beauty of multiculturalism by hosting cultural fairs and integrating multicultural holiday celebrations.
Appreciating diversity in school has helped me recognize that we are all different in unique, special ways. I have learned to keep an open mind and to always be aware of others around me. Not all of us will become doctors or lawyers or scientists. Some of us will go into the arts or politics. I have been encouraged to become independent so that I could choose a future path of fulfillment.
The diversity within this community has better prepared me to navigate life beyond high school, future job opportunities, and the global society. I believe that I do not have to internalize my differences.
As I transition to college next fall, I’m excited to take these experiences and friendships from Issaquah Highlands with me. I am, and always will be, proud to be an Issaquah Highlands resident.
Madison Nakano is a senior at Issaquah High School and a Wisteria Park resident.
