Author:	Joh'nell Clark
	Grade:	Junior
	School:	Spanaway Lake
	Mascot:	Sentinels
	League:	Pierce County 3A
	Classification:	3A

It's Not Easy Being Green Spanaway Lake High School, home of the Sentinels, is the 19th most diverse public high school in Washington. As a diverse school, we don't let our differences divide us, it's what binds us together. We celebrate it, we praise it, we encourage it. Because of it, we are successful. Numerous times my high school has been awarded the sportsmanship award for our ability to cheer on our teams while cheering on our opponents. We understand we're not all cookie cutter teams. We are here for the challenge, we are here for the sportsmanship, and we our linked by our love of the game. And I know how fortunate I am because I get to be part of it. Just recently a young lady that plays for the same softball organization as I do, experienced the feeling of unacceptance. Not for the typical reasons such as the color of her skin or her nationality, but for not being of ‘THIS WORLD’. When I say ‘this world’, I mean ‘their’ world. Their world is a world of parents over indulging. They have a need for instant and constant gratification, they want everything to come easy and handed to them. In their world they are party girls who lack understanding of what hard work really is. These are the girls that prefer everyone to be like them so they fit in, I guess as a way to make them feel better about themselves. These are the girls who fail to see how important it is to applaud the differences in and of their peers. These are the girls who would benefit from spending a week at my school where we not only accept but celebrate our differences. At first my friend felt she had to conform to their standards in order to gain their acceptance. She learned upfront that ‘it’s not easy being green’. My mom used to sing me those wise words of Kermit the frog and I saw through my friends experience just how true that is. Her teammates expected her to be the same vibrant red or gold that they were, but this only seemed to dull the beautiful shine of green she is. The culture of my school sees the green in people as the vibrant mountainsides, wide oceans, lush tall forest trees and the first colors of spring. Everyone's ‘green’ has value and beauty, each and every shade brings something different and unique. Every tone and hue brought together makes absolutely everything more beautiful! As the wise frog had said “ When green is all there is to be it could make you wonder why, but why wonder? Why wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful! And I think it's what I want to be”(Kermit the frog). My friend not only learned she had to give herself permission of self acceptance, but that she did not need to adjust who she is to fit into their world. She also learned that the simple love of the game and the desire to compete is what made her the shiniest green in the world. My friends story is one example of why diversity should promote togetherness. It's something my school is blessed with. Without our incredible differences, Spanaway Lake’s identity would no longer be so unique. I am thankful for being able to see my school’s brilliant, sparkling green. Many schools are not as fortunate to have an abundance of people with a variety cultures willing to share their experience. The best part of being so diverse is our willingness to accept everyone for who they are. Because after all, it’s not always easy being green.