Diversity shaped me as a better student and leader

By Anika Manzoor

After moving to the county in 2002 with my family, I attended Newport Mill Middle School and Montgomery Blair High School, both of which are minority-majority schools. Attending schools that are among the most racially and socioeconomically diverse in Montgomery County enhanced my academic experience and aided me in becoming the compassionate and thoughtful leader I am today.

The exposure to so many different cultures, languages, perspectives, and life experiences during such a formative period in my life was a blessing. It has taught me an insatiable curiosity for understanding the complex tapestry of human experiences. It fuels my cultural competence and my drive to listen to others, even those who may disagree with me. As we live in an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, I know I’m ahead of the curve for having these skills and it’s all thanks to an education that genuinely reflected MCPS’s values of diversity and academic excellence.

The reality, however, is that many students in Montgomery County do not receive such enriching education. I have heard several parents from around where I live indicate that they only care about children in their neighborhood and that they do not see the value

in diversifying schools, despite the clear evidence. Given the changing demographics of this county and this country as a whole, this pervasive mentality is deeply concerning.

It is deeply concerning that we have parents in this county who neither care nor know about how this system benefits their children at the expense of other children.

Students across this county are not having their voices heard about this really important policy decision. For this reason, I'm committed to supporting STEPS to fight for educational equity and opportunities available for all students in this county.

Anika Manzoor is is the Executive Director of the Youth Activism Project, a nonprofit that has helped students throughout the county get involved in the democratic process. Graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 2009, received her BA in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies from Grinnell College in 2013, and received her a Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University in 2018.