The Tahoma student body prides itself on its high test scores, as well as being known for its academic achievements. It can be argued that there is a much more complicated reality to the district after the rose-colored lenses are removed from the eyes of the public. At first glance, some would say THS students are exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and accepting. But that may just be the facade it’s trying to upkeep.

Everyone has their own opinion on the school and realistically not everyone can be represented since there are around 2,400 students attending. Reid McGregor a senior at Tahoma High School gives insight on what a THS student actually thinks about the school.  McGregor says “I think we try to be [accepting], but social standards keep us from that.” McGregor makes a logical argument and gives his honest opinion on the school’s community. As a person who is very involved in school activities through being in leadership and being on the football team he is very integrated with the student body. With being in multiple school activities McGregor has seen that between different friend groups the level of acceptance varies. The idea of norms and social standards provide the understanding of social influence and in general conformity. Teenagers are very hung up on trying to fit in with a crowd or be apart of a certain friend group. If the friend group is acting a certain way then the individual will act the same. When being accepting this contributes to the downfall of being an accepting community.

Through observation Tahoma has been depicted to be accepting on occasion. The student body essentially only comes together when a big event  happens, whether that be a happy occurrence or a sad one. Mike Murphy, a junior said “… we say that we need to stop bullying, we say hey let’s be nice to people but I’ve seen people turn their backs on others.”  It seems that there’s a lot more to Tahoma than what people like to lead on the school depicts to be an accepting but the student body is saying otherwise. Yes there are good things that the school has to offer but there is a bigger issue that needs to be resolved.

Tahoma is great at establishing the opportunity to come together as a community and become more accepting only when tragedies or great accomplishments happen. Everyday we are becoming better at embracing our differences and creating a positive environment. With this the school’s community can only now grow into a more accepting school and build up a stronger community.