Schools often claim that they celebrate diversity, but 80% of Urbana High School students interviewed claimed otherwise. After interviewing several students, they claimed that it’s rare to see their culture represented. Students explained that heritage months have a shallow level of recognition, and they are not celebrated. They are often treated as one-time occasions rather than ongoing conversations.

We anonymously interviewed 10 people with different cultural backgrounds, such as Indian, Hispanic/Latino, African-American, and Caucasian, to get their opinions. Eight out of ten people said that the school culture is not visible; the school only does surface-level “celebrations.” Some even went to the point of saying that “the school is missing everything when it comes to celebrating cultural diversity.” Others shared similar concerns, explaining that while the school promotes inclusion, it does not consistently reflect students’ identities in the curriculum or classroom discussions. Another interviewee stated that learning about different cultures only during designated months sends the message that those histories and traditions are secondary, almost making the school look “performative.” Additionally, a student said that true celebration would mean incorporating different cultural contributions throughout the year, not just during special events.

Beyond academics, some students said they rarely see cultural traditions acknowledged in school activities or leadership initiatives. They believe that celebrating diversity should go beyond decorations and themed days and instead involve deeper conversations, student-led events, and inclusive teaching practices such as including texts and case studies from diverse cultures, inviting students to share cultural perspectives on related topics, or even allowing identity-based projects. While Urbana emphasizes diversity in the school statement, many students feel there is a gap between what is promoted and what is practiced daily. The interviews suggest that although diversity may be acknowledged, students are seeking more meaningful, consistent representation. If Urbana truly wants to live up to its commitment to diversity, it must move beyond occasional observances and actively embed cultural representation into the core of its teaching, leadership, and student experiences.