When you want to be in a supportive environment, one of the places that come to mind should be your community. The meaning and sincerity of the word ‘community’ differs in each individual, but no matter what your community is, you are a reflection of where you come from. You should represent yourself the best way possible through your community. That’s why we need to build stronger relations with each other to showcase what it’s like to be a part of Verrado High School with dignity and pride.

We can succeed as parts of a whole by growing the culture that is continuously evolving around Verrado. This is one of the many aspects that make Verrado stick out with the ranges of diversity from Natives, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, Asians, and more. Cultures from all around can be intertwined to what Verrado should be and what it shall become. While it’s good to acknowledge the culture we already have now at Verrado High. There are always opportunities to grow and to make our community better.

How we can begin the process of combining ideas of different backgrounds starts at school during each day. This is our place where young people learn from not only their educators, but also their peers around them. Here at Verrado, we can refine a better community from starting small, like keeping the campus clean, and then move on to bigger opportunities like hosting community events.

Verrado High is a school built on recognition, of effort, of talent, and of students who push themselves in academics, arts, CTE and athletics. Our announcements regularly highlight teams and individuals who go above and beyond, and that celebration is one of the many ways our campus shows support for its students. But recognition shouldn’t stop there. Pride grows when every part of our school every class, every club, every student feels seen. This is our moment to expand what we celebrate and tie that pride to the work we put in across all areas of high school life. Opportunities surround us, and they’re ours to claim when we step up to meet them.

It’s important to acknowledge that Verrado already has a culture worth noticing. It’s in the way we fill our hallways with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. It’s in the small interactions like a quick conversation on the way to class with a friend or teacher or a shared laugh during a group project that quietly connect us. Even if you’re someone who keeps to yourself, your presence still shapes this place. Every student contributes to the sense of togetherness that makes Verrado unique.

But if something as simple as a passing interaction can strengthen our culture, it’s fair to ask: why doesn’t a school with so many events, resources, and opportunities have an unshakeable, titanium-strong sense of unity?

Part of the answer lies in how we view our time here. When students disconnect from the idea that school is a stepping stone toward their future, the impact ripples outward. That detachment can show up in negative ways: false alarms, disruptions, or threats that pull attention away from the positive things happening on campus. These moments don’t define us, but they do challenge us.

At times, Verrado feels more and more disconnected every time something like this happens, causing people to miss normal daily chats and hurting the overall community of the school. Though threats do harm the reputation of the One Verrado mantra, there is no doubt that the students of today and upcoming years have the potential to set a new representation of what Verrado,can become.

Faculty, staff, clubs, and students continue to build friendships, create opportunities, and work toward their goals even when the environment feels uncertain. That resilience is a sign of who we are, and who we can become. It’s possible that we can improve community support by collaborating and being more open with each other, making not only a safer environment, but an environment that is fun and engaging as well. We can change the bad to good by working together as a school, making school a safe environment for everyone.

Vipers understand that our culture isn’t missing. It’s growing. It’s waiting for more of us to claim it, shape it, and strengthen it. Verrado’s spirit is built every day by the choices we make, the pride we show, and the community we create together. If we want a culture that feels unbreakable, then we,  every one of us, have the power to build it.

We have the ability to strengthen our school’s culture and reverse the idea that school is an unsafe or an unwelcoming place. This is done by choosing to make it a place for friendships, learning, and connection. One of the easiest ways to do that is by joining clubs. They’re open to everyone, and they exist for your enjoyment, growth, and curiosity. It’s easy to write clubs off as “nerdy” or assume they’re a waste of time, but let’s be honest, there’s probably at least one club you’ve noticed and quietly thought about joining. The only thing holding many students back is the fear of being seen as an outsider.

And here’s a truth: most people are too busy wondering if they fit in to judge anyone else. And years from now, the only people you’ll still talk to from high school are the ones who accepted you for who you were appreciating your real interests, your real hobbies, your real personality. Those are the people you meet when you stop worrying about what others think and start showing up for the things you enjoy. High school goes by fast. Don’t miss out on friendships, memories, and experiences because you were afraid to take a chance.

As one of the journalists writing this story, and as a member of the Verrado High School graduating class of 2026, I’ve seen firsthand how emotional this time becomes. Writing graduation speeches, sharing final thoughts, and reflecting on four years of growth brings out tears from even the strongest students. It’s a reminder that these years matter more than we realize while we’re living them. Don’t spend them worrying about whether someone thinks you’re an outsider. That fear doesn’t just limit you; it dims the experience for everyone around you.

In the end, what matters most is how you choose to show up. Many students and staff know the phrase “One Verrado,” but not everyone stops to think about what it truly means. It’s more than a slogan, it’s a commitment to unity, pride, and representing our school with integrity. It’s something we show other communities, but it’s also something we owe to each other. And it starts with how each of us carries ourselves, treats others, and contributes to the environment we share.

Maybe that’s the challenge for next year: to live out the meaning of “One Verrado” with intention. To let our actions create a domino effect of pride, kindness, and connection. Will next year’s leaders take that on? Will the 2026–2027 school year rise to the challenge?

For now, we’ll have to wait and see, but one thing is certain: the future of our culture isn’t something that just happens. It’s something we build together, one choice, one moment, and one student at a time.