At Vista Ridge High School, Muslim students like me bring lunch from home every day — not because we want to, but because there are no halal options in the cafeteria. It’s more than just food; it’s about dignity, belonging, and giving our families a little relief. For me, it also meant watching my mom lose sleep every night to make sure I had something to eat. In this personal story, I want to share what that experience has been like — and how one small change once brought us both a bit of joy.
The world is quiet, the clock ticks past midnight, but my mom’s day isn’t over — not until our halal lunches are packed and ready for school. She's a stay-at-home mom, but that doesn’t mean she rests all day. She’s constantly on her feet, managing the house, helping us with school, and still finding time to cook. On weekdays, she barely gets five hours of sleep because she's up late making sure we have food for the next day. And my family is not the only one. A lot of my friends have to pack their own lunches, rushing in the early morning just to make sure they’ll have something to eat, even if it’s just leftovers from last night. Meanwhile, I sit in the cafeteria watching everyone else grab hot trays of food, laughing and eating together, while I quietly eat cold meals out of plastic containers. Sometimes I catch myself dreaming about what it would be like to walk through the lunch line, pick something warm, and just eat without thinking twice.
It wasn’t always like this. Back when I lived in New Jersey, something amazing happened early in the school year. Our small Muslim community had come together and asked the school to provide halal meals. I still remember coming home one day afternoon and my mom told us, casually but smiling, “They have halal food at your school now.” I honestly didn’t believe it at first. But when it sunk in, I felt this mix of excitement and a rush of happiness as some of the guilt I felt eased away, like maybe some of the weight she carries every night will finally be a little lighter. I’ll never forget the chicken burger I had that week. It smelled so good, tasted even better! Even my non-Muslim friends asked if they could try some, it was that delicious! And just standing in line with my classmates, tray in hand, it felt like I was finally part of something instead of watching from the outside. That small change made everyday life feel lighter, easier, and just…happier!
That’s the kind of experience I hope every Muslim student can have at Vista Ridge High School. We’re not asking for something extra — just to feel included. I hope one day I can walk into the cafeteria again and see options I can eat, just like everyone else. I hope my mom can rest a little easier, and that no one has to feel left out just because of what they believe. Thank you for reading this and hearing our story. I truly hope you’ll support the effort to bring halal meals to our school!
-Maham Jawad, 10th grade student at Vista Ridge High School (2025-2026)