Students Learn About Embracing Diversity

South Ocean Middle School hosted an in-school assembly Friday to promote tolerance and diversity in remembrance of the second anniversary of the murder of Marcelo Lucero.

Joselo Lucero, the brother of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo, spoke to students about his family and home country during the assembly. Joselo has been speaking to teens since his brother's murder in 2008 to encourage acceptance of different cultures.

"When I heard that he had been attacked, I lost everything," Joselo said at the assembly. "Marcelo had so many dreams. I want to be here for him for many years."

South Ocean principal Linda Pickford said accepting diversity is particularly important at her school, where many students come from another country or speak another language. She added South Ocean is one of the most diverse schools in the Patchogue-Medford School District.

Students continued the day of diversity after the assembly, migrating to the front lawn of the school to see large banners sporting inspirational messages and artwork. The students discussed with their teachers what each banner meant to them.

Helaina Judge, a former South Ocean student, created one of the banners on display after winning a contest last year hosted by the Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding.

Judge said her piece, "Different Rhythms, One Heart," symbolizes the different pathways each person takes during a lifetime.

"Everyone comes from different backgrounds and we always judge them by the clothes they're wearing and who they hang out with," she said. "We never know the true person."

The banners will be on display all week to help continue the diversity efforts.