Bronx Science has students from a multiplicity of cultures and backgrounds, and several of our students are multiracial, which makes for an interesting blend of cultures in their lives at home and at school. 

Many of us have had the experience of inquisitive people who have been raised within one culture asking us the infamous question, “Where are you from?” At Bronx Science, given that we come from a plethora of backgrounds, we understand the connotation of the question and know that it is not meant in a rude way when asked by inquisitive strangers.

On this point, Konain Qureshi ’20 said, “People just ask me where I am from, and they are always intrigued when I tell them that I am both Korean and Pakistani.” Qureshi goes on to say how his experiences in elementary school and middle school as a multiracial student was pleasant overall, due to the fact that most of his classmates were “so diverse that not a single person cared about where someone else came from.” 

Living with two sets of cultures and traditions is truly amazing. 

In terms of culture, multiracial students have experienced the best of both worlds. Food is one thing that has helped them to keep ties to their cultures. Arielle Bartoli ’21 said, “My mom cooks a lot of traditional Filipino food like adobo and sinigang.” Not only that, they follow certain Filipino traditions, “like putting up a parol, which is a star-shaped lantern, during Christmastime.”

Speaking their parents’ native languages is also a commonality. Qureshi said, “My mother has been trying to get me to learn Korean through both Saturday school as well as conversing with me at home, and I am able to understand her as well as anyone who speaks Korean.” Yet, not all students are able to speak with their family in their native tongues. Julia Gonzales ’19, for instance, is not able to speak Tagalog, but this is due to her father’s decision. “My dad specifically chose not to teach me, because he didn’t want me to have an accent,” Gonzales said.

Living with two sets of cultures and traditions is truly amazing.  The uniqueness of our Bronx Science multiracial students’ lives is truly one of a kind.