By Anthony Ciano, Staff Writer

September 19, 2023

ROCKLAND- An outdated Flag Project is leading to positive changes in the school community. 

The Flag Project is the format in which flags are displayed over the cafeteria from various countries. 

These countries represent the heritage of Rockland High School students.

Although the original project took place a few years ago, the school administration is looking to update the flags every year with a school survey. 

New students have the opportunity to display their heritage and connections to different countries through the flags  whether through the survey or by personal request. 

Dr. John Harrison said, “As a principal, I can’t imagine the cafeteria without these flags because I think they represent who we are as a community and they have become a part of us.”

The flags have been updated three times since first hung up. The purchase of the flags is funded by the proceeds from the high school Gatorade machine. 

Last year, the Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Mexico, and Finland flags were added to the cafeteria, per student requests. 

Junior Kameron Drake, who can trace his roots to Finland, said that he feels more connected to the school with the flag being hung up as it “shows off his Finnish heritage to the school.”

While many students currently are represented in the cafeteria, additions are constantly being made to represent all students. 

Although it is only September, the flag of Pakistan has already been added to display student representation. 

With flags constantly being added, students with ties to countries not represented feel eager to have their countries' flags displayed,

Senior Lily McLaughlin said, “It would be really nice to have the flag of Kazakhstan added to the cafeteria” because she was born there.

McLaughlin said, “Although Rockland is very diverse, I feel that I am from a country that is very underrepresented because not many people have ever heard of it.” 

Lily McLaughlin as well as other students are excited to be given the opportunity to request flag additions for their heritage.

Luckily, information on how to get a flag added to the cafeteria will be sent out soon. 

Dr. Harrison said, “The request form via Google will be sent out at the end of September.”