It wasn’t until around freshman year when I decided to invest some of my time into politics. I never really thought anything of it because I was so oblivious to any other opinion than the one being thrown at me. I guess I started noticing this culture at the beginning of 8^th grade.

My social studies teacher asked our class to write an essay on where Obama was from (might I add that he said there was no right or wrong answer as long as we provided evidence). I mean come on, the essay in and of itself was ridiculous. What 8^th grader cares where our president is from? But, our teacher assigned the essay, so we had to complete it.

One of my friends completed the essay differently than I had but I did not think anything of it since we both used sufficient evidence. Fast forward to a week later when we get our essays back. I was ecstatic when I got an A, but my friend was not as happy when she found out that she had received a D. The teacher commented that her essay was completely wrong because she said that Obama was from Africa.

Now, whatever you think is up to you, but my friend was just completing the assignment she was given with the research she had done. This is just one of many times I’ve witnessed the one-sided nature of not just people, but teachers, in the Acton-Boxborough Community.

All throughout my high school experience, my school enforced diversity and tolerance, but this seemed to apply only to certain communities; conservatives definitely not being one of them. I was a part of my high school’s club Young Republicans and I loved it. It was the only place I felt comfortable enough to discuss my opinions without being criticized. But even the YR club was barely recognized at AB. Our adviser dropped the club halfway through the school year, leaving the club with no school support.

On top of this, the YR club was not recognized in the school yearbook until my senior year.

But, thanks to our leader, Cam, and our Acton town representative, Beth Farley, we were able to keep the club running, but we still weren’t given a place to meet. It really sucks that a place that is supposed to breed learning from all different backgrounds did not support one community. All because the opinions they held were different than the ones in that community.

And now for the “sugar on top” that finally set me off. My senior year, a club was started called the Young Democrats; totally normal and awesome because the YR club would maybe be able to hold mock debates with them. But unfortunately, at the activities fair, the YD club was handing out posters that read “You don’t have to be a Democrat, you just have to dislike Trump.”

Are you serious? What kind of message is this sending to people who support President Trump? I understand that as a Democrat, you may not like President Trump and his actions. But how can you create a club based on hate for a man?

I thought the Democratic party was based on tolerance and respect for all communities. But that is certainly not what I experienced at Acton Boxborough Regional High School.

I’m not going to lie, I came to Villanova University happy knowing that the community was more right-sided. But, what I have experienced is so much better than what I expected. I am experiencing tolerance and respect of all ideas, something I was promised at Acton Boxborough, but never received.

Some of my best friends here hold different opinions than I have, and guess what? We love and respect each other. We live simultaneously and I love it. I am so thankful for what I have experienced here. I hope the Acton Boxborugh Community will learn how to respect each other’s opinions.

And finally, for the students who attend Acton Boxborough now, I urge this: Push the boundaries. Question your teachers. Remember that sometimes your beliefs may be challenged, but that doesn’t make them wrong