“Celebrating our Backgrounds” is a weekly column by senior Tori Velazquez, one of the leaders of LFHS’ new EmbRACE club. Each week, she will discuss issues surrounding race, ethnicity, and equality with people in the LFHS student body. 

Walking in the halls of LFHS, you may hear students saying “what’s up JT” left and right. Jacob Thomas is a running back on the Lake Forest High School Football team. Being friends with him for 3 years I’ve grown to see him as my little brother; making sure he gets to class and stays out of trouble. JT will always bring a smile to your face just by having a simple conversation with him. He transferred into LFHS second semester from Zion-Benton and is currently a junior. He’s grown to become the sweetest young man. With his comical personality, he will always make the best out of his days here at Lake Forest High School and not only that, it seems to be that making friends comes easily to him, especially coming in to a school completely different than Zion-Benton. He is always respectful to everyone around him which brings out the best of him.

Tell us a little bit about yourself like: Where are you from originally?

“Well, let me see, I’m from Zion. I’ve been there all my life and went to the schools there. The schools and students have more diversity. That is for sure. I feel like I fit there perfectly and it’s where I feel comfortable. I am able to show my real personality. Here, I feel like a lot of students do not show their “real” personality and care more about their image and what other people think of them.  I do not care what others think of me, I am Jacob Thomas and I’m cool with that.  I have meet some cool kids here. I respect those kinds of people–they are real.”

What’s your family like?

“My family is really goofy. We’re all so caring when it comes to our loved ones and sometimes even people we don’t really know–we just love spreading the love. I have a huge family: two big brothers, one big sister, mom and dad… big family. One thing that we do on December 5th is we all meet up with our extended family and we go to our cabin where my great grandma used to live in before she passed away. We do a lot of family bonding; we all do a big game of kickball in the summer and that’s a lot of fun.”

If you could describe yourself in 3 words what would they be?

“I’m funny, prideful, and charming.  I can catch people’s attention, that’s for sure, because I am super friendly and always smiling. That’s more than three but it’s okay, right? I could keep going.”

What’s your favorite thing about being at Lake Forest High School?

“Football.  It has been how I have made my connections with other students.  It is the only sport that I play.  It does help me feel like I fit in. Without it, I have found it hard to relate to others.”

How do you feel when you walk into the front doors of your high school?

“It is hard. I drag. I enjoy going to tech campus but walking the halls here is hard.  I miss my friends and old school.  It is just two different places.  I am doing my best to adjust. I go about my day listening to music, it helps past the time.”

How do you think LFHS could improve when it comes to racial equality?

“There’s really no way it can improve in my opinion. We have a diversity group and that’s good and all, but I feel we have long way to go. Racial equality is not something can be taught, but rather understood You would think it is common sense, right?”

Do you ever feel like an outlier in the community? When and how?       

“Yes, all the time.  If none of my friends are around I can be left sitting at a table all by myself for hours. That doesn’t seem to happen to others.  It seems like others are able to relate to anyone which makes it easier to have conversations with people they may not consider them close friends.

On the first of school I was sitting by myself I had no one to talk to so they had to change my whole schedule just so I can be with Tyjuan at least one person I can relate to.”

What do you think LFHS does well when it comes to advancing racial equality?

“Mrs. Harmsen and Mrs. Jones have been the two teachers that have helped me the most since the day I started at this school. They did everything they could for my days to go faster; I don’t think there was ever a day where they didn’t talk to me.”