​I grew up in Canada and moved to the area when I was a student at Messiah College. In college I was a Health and Physical Education major. One of my student teaching placements was in the Carlisle Area School District. The year I graduated from college I was able to get a teaching job in the Carlisle Area School District. That was when I moved to Carlisle and 22 years later I am still here working for the district.⠀
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One of the things that I like most about Carlisle is the diversity. I grew up in a very diverse city. Even though Carlisle is much smaller than my hometown, its diversity has reminded me of home. I am also glad that my children are able to grow up in such a diverse community.⠀
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The thing that makes Carlisle special is also the thing that I like most about it. I think Carlisle’s diversity makes it special. Having three institutions of higher learning adds to this diversity. Every year the students at the United States Army War College, Dickinson College, and Penn State School of Law bring so much to our community. The variety of restaurants downtown offer so many opportunities to experience food from different cultures. Festivals such as Octoberfest, the McLain Celtic Festival, and the Amani Festival allow residents a yearly opportunity to experience other cultures.⠀
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​As I think about Carlisle’s future I hope that its diversity will continue to attract people of all ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. And I hope that they will find this community as welcoming as I have. – Jeff Bell, Principal at Bellaire Elementary School, Carlisle Area School District