Students at McNair Academic High School in Jersey City are excited one of their favorite comic book characters has come to life. Kamala Khan, better known as the powerful shape-shifting and size-shifting Ms. Marvel, made history in 2014 as the first Muslim character to get her own Marvel comic book. And now the teen superhero, who goes to a school inspired by McNair, is the center of a new critically acclaimed TV show airing on the Disney+ channel.

When students see themselves in Ms. Marvel, “It’s magical. You can’t even describe it,” said teacher Holly Smith. And students say while it’s great to see their school and hometown on display in front of the world, highlighting people with different cultures and religious faiths in a positive light is proof representation matters.