As the 87th Academy Awards take their place in history, its messages continue to live on with the people who saw the show and the movies nominated. One of the messages perceived from the audience was the idea of accepting others for being different as well as accepting oneself for being different. Many of the movies nominated reflect that just because life isn’t as expected, it doesn’t mean that problems are permanent, so great things can come out of who has seen the world with different eyes.

“We are all different, and we must treat all equally regardless of the differences,” said junior Megan Lawer. “John Legend and Patricia Arquette’s speeches really brought up the fact that nowadays there is still a lot of inequality, and that we must do our best to get rid of these barriers.”

This motif is also seen in many of the movies that were nominated and that had held a great role in the judges’ decision making process of the winner.

“‘Boyhood’ was a really great movie,” said senior Michaela Salvo. “The movie was really well done on how the actors were seen grow thought time, and that in the end, even if you have a tough childhood, you’re still capable of doing great things with your life.”

“‘The Theory of Everything’ shows how can being different isn’t always a bad thing,” said senior Sam Keeler, “sometimes being different is a gift, and that’s what makes you special compared to others.”

Other movie directors decided to focus on ordinary people that through their struggles and overcoming of their problems, they then live extraordinary lives and accomplish great goals.

“‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is a great movie that pictures the life of a hotel manager and his receptionist,” said Italian teacher Ms. Elizabeth Adair. “The movie is able to let the spectators sympathize with the manager, even if he’s a very faulty character. It’s amusing to see the protagonist though the ridiculous problems set up by the producer, and his unique way of facing the many issues of life.”

“‘Birdman’ is a great movie that is interesting on how it’s all recorded in a one-shot style, and the story is at moments odd, but it’s incredibly interesting for the whole time.” said cinematography teacher Mr. Gary Joseph, “It’s nice to see how the main character tries to taste the success of his youth, as he tries to escape from it. It’s this idea of trying to move on and at the same time trying to hold on to that feeling of success that is relatable to modern society. It’s how people always try to bring up stories of their youth because they no longer have something else that’s worth talking about.”

‘Birdman’ won the Academy Award for best picture, and its producer, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, had a final speech where he asked that immigrants might be treated with dignity and respect as those who first founded “this incredible immigrant nation.”

Some of the movies that have been rewarded required great imagination, and their genre even if not the most popular, as able to capture the spectators’ attention and keep them excited about the movie.

“Interstellar is one of the most amazing movies I’ve seen.” said senior Jake King, “The score and special effects are amazing and they make even more epic the scenes of the movie. I would say that the movie says to appreciate what you have and to not take everything for granted.”

“Into the Woods is really great on how it puts together many stories, and it makes a totally new adventure out of it.” said teacher Margaret Altman, “There is the overall theme where good wins over evil, but it’s really great how it keeps you interested even if it’s a musical. The idea of being a musical at first seemed that it could be boring, but it actually was extremely interesting and enjoyable to watch.”

Some of the movies this year reflected a part of society that is often overlooked and that doesn’t get the deserved attention.

“American Sniper was a really good movie that kept me interested until the very end of it.” said freshman Brittany Oehler, “I would say that one of the most important messages was that you must listen to ho loves you, because you never know if you can trust strangers, instead you can always be sure that who loves you will want you to be safe.”

“The Imitation Game is a really good movie that shows a usually unknown part of our history,” said senior Mackenzie Fitchett. “I think that it was really good in showing the life of this man who has such a great importance in our history, and even if he was such an important scientist, people still gave him trouble for being homosexual. I liked how through the story he never gives up.”

One of the most touching speeches from the Oscars was the one from Graham Moore, in which he he talked about his not attempt to suicide at the age of 16 because he felt weird and that he felt that he didn’t belong. Now that he’s on the stage he decided to dedicate his Oscar to those ho don’t feel to belong in society by saying “Stay weird, stay different” and that there is a place for them where they fit in.

“I think that the Oscars did a really good job promoting the fact that everybody who’s different, doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with them,” said senior Austin Vega. “Being different makes you special and distinguishes yourself from others.”

The 87th Academy Awards have certainly done an excellent job showing how people are different, and that differences are a gift rather than a issue. It is surprising to see how many are the instances where people are different, and nevertheless they are able to achieve great goals and to inspire others to don’t be afraid of their differences, but to try their best because everybody has what is needed to aspire to greatness.