This First Person article is the experience of Manorama Patki who lives in Calgary. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

My daughter looked angry. 

Her team had just won their latest round at the inter-high school debate competition. But when I found her in the cafeteria, all she and her schoolmates were talking about was the reaction of the other students. 

When she said they came from Lester B. Pearson High School, their competitors had given a scornful laugh. 

“Oh. That school.”

I felt bad, but was I surprised at the comment? No. I wasn’t. 

My daughter’s high school is