Oak Park High School honored for role in fight against prejudice and bias

Oak Park High School has been selected for a pair of honors by the Anti-Defamation League.

Four sophomores at the school will attend an ADL national leadership mission to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial in Washington, D.C. in November. They will be chosen by Oak Park counselors and will join juniors from schools nationwide.

Oak Park also has been identified as a "No Place for Hate" and a "Community of Respect" site for its efforts to combat prejudice and bias. Among the programs for which Oak Park was recognized was the school's recent Acceptance Week. Organized by the Oak Park Peer Counseling program, the week featured special events, speakers, discussions and a student art and writing contest focusing on intolerance and promoting appreciation for diversity.

"We are acknowledging that the school is building no place for hate in their school community," said Jackie Reid, ADL director of education.

Oak Park parent Barbara Wechter; counselors Tess Wilkoff and Debi Fries; and students Zach and Daniel Wechter, Emily Glickman, Carl Chen, Arielle Gillman and Rachel Schall attended a ceremony in Santa Barbara where the school received its ADL recognition. Artwork and creative writing from the Acceptance Week contest were displayed.

"We are thrilled to be selected," said Wilkoff. "The intermingling of like-minded people engaging in positive, loving behavior and activities is truly inspirational."

Oak Park Principal Lynn McCormack expressed pride in the school's effort.

"Our peer counselors are driving the program of tolerance and acceptance at our school and are having an enormous impact on the movement toward improving and maintaining a positive climate and culture at our school," McCormack said.

- Sophia Fischer