Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

Walking out on senior year

By ASHLEY BODY

Teen Scene Writer

For some time now the Mansfield school district has made it possible for high school students to graduate in less than four years. These students are usually referred to as early graduates. In the past, early graduates were able to get out in less than four years with ease; they would just double up on English and history classes by taking one each semester. But now that the district has switched to an A/B block system, early graduates have to take a different English or history class every other day. To some students it’s worth the extra classes, but, to others like me, it’s a waste of time.

Who wants to experience breaking the devastating news to their children later in life when they ask about your high school experience and they discover that you didn’t finish your senior year? Ever since we were freshmen, we’ve daydreamed about our senior year and now more than 200 students in the district have chosen to cut it off early.

Personally I will never understand the students who have a burning desire to skip out on their senior year. I do understand that once senior year hits, seniors are completely overtaken by senioritis and can’t wait to get out. For some the solution is early graduation, which is ironic because the very ones that can’t wait to get out are the same ones that will have to keep coming back.

They will have to come back to pick up transcripts, cap and gown, graduation announcements, prom tickets, letters of recommendation and so much more. So just because they get out earlier doesn’t necessarily mean they will get to stay out.

Most high school students are involved in some sort of extracurricular activity: student council, band, choir or some sort of athletics. So much is invested into each of these organizations by each student, especially since most students have been involved with them since their freshman year. So, all logic says that bailing out during their senior year is crazy. Some students even hold leadership positions within these organizations, but that doesn’t stop them. And as far as it goes for the athletes some leave before their sport’s season even rolls around, which is sad. They have poured themselves into their sport for three years and now they are leaving team mates and coaches high and dry.

Another downside to graduating early is that the early graduates lose contact with their friends faster than those who stick around. And, ultimately that’s what high school is all about, building relationships. If they lose contact with their friends then that can make events such as prom and graduation a little awkward later on in the year.

I understand that there are many advantages to graduating early, such as, getting a job, starting college early, and not having to wake up at the crack of dawn every morning. But I think that these advantages are robbing students of their last shot at childhood before they face the real world. The advantages can wait because at some point you have to cherish the moment you’re given and enjoy high school for what it is.

Live in the moment not in the future.

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