Although 87.4 percent of LZHS students are Caucasian, almost all students said they are tolerant of people from a different race, according to a recent Bear Facts survey.

Bear Facts conducted a survey of over 300 students to question how tolerant students were with people of different races, religions, social groups, and sexual orientations. The survey findings suggest males were least tolerant of sexual orientation and social group, but most tolerant of race. Females showed to be least tolerant of social group but most tolerant of race.

“I think most of our kids are respectful to one another in those [categories],” Bryan Stortz, dean, said. “It seems that most of their differences stem from just dislike,” like one boy stealing another’s girlfriend, or one giving another a ‘look’ in the hallway.

Stortz claimed that only once or twice a year do students get into fights because of race, religion, or status.

“I wouldn’t say we’re 100 percent tolerant, but I think most kids actually are,” Stortz said.

According to the Bear Facts survey, however, males were least tolerant of others because of their sexual orientation, not because of dislike. The survey also showed females were least tolerant of others because of their social group or clique was different than the one they identify themselves as.

Although 9 percent of students surveyed said they were least tolerant of race, Samantha Lacsam, junior, said race doesn’t make a difference to her.

“I don’t think it’s my position to judge anyone for anything they believe in or do,” Lacsam said. “I can’t see anybody judging someone for something like [race].”

Lacsam says her friends don’t care what backgrounds their friends have either.

“I’m, like, the only Asian I hang out with,” Lacsam said. “And I don’t even feel like they’re treating me different. Race doesn’t even come to mind with us.”

Only 6 of the over 300 male and female students surveyed said they were intolerant of students in all the categories of race, religion, social group, and sexual orientation. Yet 150 students said they are tolerant of all the categories.

“I would think we’re tolerant of other people because we have been educated on respect and taught our differences make us unique,” Stortz said. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t make someone we’re different than, someone we work with, or are friends with.”