Fruitland, Oregon – When 17-year-old Adam Eddouss, a Muslim student from Tunisia, first arrived at Fruitland High School to study for a year, little did he know that he would soon become a beacon of tolerance and understanding for his community. Yet in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing last month and the heightened focus on Islam, Eddous has made incredible efforts to create a better understanding of Muslim culture among his classmates and community.

Beyond simply engaging in conversations with other students, Eddouss helped facilitate a Skype video-chat between his American government class and a group of Tunisian and Americans living in his home country of Tunisia last Friday. Over the course of an hour, the students discussed a wide range of issues, including freedom of speech in Tunisia, public safety, and stereotypes. They even had the opportunity to learn about each others' cultures, such as popular foods in Tunisia.

Eddouss has worked hard to foster dialogue in his community of Fruitland, and he's not stopping there. This summer, he has been invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security in Washington, D.C., where he will surely make his mark.

Source: "Foreign Exchange Student, Eddouss, Bridging the gap." Ontario Argust Observer. N.p., 5 May 2013.