On Feb. 19, a handful of cameras were in the cafeteria, thanks to HHS being selected among two other schools to be featured by WCCO for the school’s lunch program.

Jason DeRusha is WCCO’s food reporter, producing “DeRusha eats.” 

According to DeRusha, what sets the school apart is the percent of meals that are homemade, and the ingredients come from local sources. However, one unique aspect that was highlighted was the cultures that are reflected in the food.

HHS’s global food station is meant to reflect all the cultures practiced here. With over 50 languages spoken here, there’s a lot to cover. 

Food is not the only way the district attempts to be more inclusive. The decision to change prom’s date in honor of Ramadan, a Muslim holiday, is a prime example. Kate Larrabee, junior, represents one student who is disappointed in the change.

“I’m glad they moved it for Ramadan, I just wish we got a little bit more notice. Better yet that they’d just schedule it for April 18th in the first place,” Larrabee said. 

Prom usually takes place in May, but the overlapping with Ramadan resulted in the dance being pushed forward to April. School faculty wanted those who participate in the month-long fast to be able to have fun at prom, even if that means the dance taking place a bit earlier than usual. 

HHS is also implementing a new class into the curriculum. The course is called ‘Global Black Literature,” a class available for juniors to earn a global literature credit, or for other grades to earn a language arts elective credit.

Global Black Literature, taught by Ms. Fatuma Ali, English and AVID, covers the same types of literary works, but with a specific focus on black authors and its importance to black culture.

“I want students here to see what they can read from different perspectives than we’re personally used to,” Ali said. “I also want to give black students the chance to have a class that is catered to their experiences. If they can see that they’re from a large community across the world, they’ll feel more connected to their culture.”

Ali believes that because of social media, students are exposed to many different people and perspectives. 

“In that sense, I think that HHS is more respectful and more welcoming than what I have been used to, but I think there’s still room for improvement. We shouldn’t just accept people’s differences, but actually encourage and support people’s differences, which I think we’re starting to do,” Ali said.