In an effort to promote cultural acceptance, Niles West hosted the Cultural Round Table in the Student Activities Center on Tuesday, Sept. 25, after school.

The Cultural Round Table is an event that occurs three times a year and focuses on cultural differences and similarities among the students. Principal Kaine Osburn starts each meeting by addressing the students and introducing the speakers who are to follow him. This meeting’s speakers, Pamela Cook and Raul Amezquita, are talked about the Mosaic Project, a documentary featuring students of different cultural backgrounds.

“For me, it is a great opportunity to better understand the students,” said Jasminka Jukic, the sponsor of the event. “I am always excited to learn a lot about everyone that comes. For the students, it is exciting because it’s a good time. There’s good food, great things to do, and everyone can have fun while learning about different cultures.”

Osburn emphasized the focus of the event to all the attendees.

“Remember! What’s most important is to be respectful. Think of respect as the door to learning. If you’re respectful, the door of learning is open. If you’re not, it is closed,” Osburn said.

Cook explained the point of showing the Mosaic Project to the students.

“It’s about finding themselves in a school as diverse as Niles West. This was an opportunity for students to have their voice heard and part if it was about learning about someone new,” Cook said. “This is going to be seen throughout the year and at the end you’ll be able to see it in full. The goal is for Niles West to become a safe environment.”

Amezquitasaid students should work on being more tolerant toward each other.

“We need to challenge ourselves to see how we’re connected to these individuals in the mosaic project. All the diversity we have in this country makes us stronger,” Amezquita said.

Jukic said that the next Cultural Round Table will also announced during homeroom.