Seniority IS a Problem
There are some things that just shouldn't be a normal regulation at Brewster High School. And while that list can go on for quite some time, I would just like to point one out specifically. That is, seniority.
Definition: noun: seniority
- The fact or state of being older or higher in position or status than someone else.
2. A privileged position earned by reason of longer service or higher rank.
Seniority restricts underclassmen. Many may disagree, or simply not care, because “the seniors deserve it, they've been here the longest.” Well, let’s change our perspectives for a moment please.
I mean, really thinking about it, it’s a bit out of hand; parking spots, senior lounge, an unlimited amount of admissions into the library, senior skip day, bears den priority seats, free periods in schedule, and I’m sure there are tons more I have forgotten to mention.
Personally, the “No driving to school unless you’re a senior” and the “You can only sign into the library one time during the day, unless of course you’re a senior” rules agitate me the most. Of course the driving rule is not applicable to every underclassmen, but to those is does affect, it bothers to say the least. For me, I got my license in the beginning of the school year, and would have been more than thrilled to have been able to drive to school and park there, versus taking the bus. The main, and only annoyance really, with taking the bus is the fact that I live less than five minutes away from the High School, and yet I’ll be sitting on the bus for a good 25 minutes. This is unnecessary. And what if one morning I had accidentally missed the bus and had no parent to drive me into school? I’d only be left with two choices:
- Stay home, and receive a disturbance in my attendance.
2. Drive into school and risk getting in deep trouble; no parking spot next year.
Well, looks like I’m staying home.
And as for the library rule, it seems to be a common trend that not only seniors have more than one study hall a day, so why do they get to go to there more than once and we don’t? Perhaps you’re a freshman, and not only do you not have the best accessibility to a computer when you get home, but you also need more than just 39 minutes for an assignment? What do you do? Hand it in late? Don’t hand it in? These are the certain problems that are often, unfortunately, overlooked.
At this point, I’m prone to rejecting the idea of seniority. However, I do know for a fact that next year my beliefs of rejection against this idea will only change to that of embracing it. This of course is very closely correlated with bias. For a majority of your high school career, I’m sure we were all subconsciously envious of the seniors. Why is that? Because they have more than us. They can do more than us. And, I find this to be a bit ironic. Here at Brewster High School, we favor equality, hence our strong favoritism when it comes to DASA. According to the student handbook (page 16), this act has the intention to “…ensure that no student is subject to discrimination or harassment…” This is classified as discrimination; limiting someones rights due to their age. So, let’s fix this.
I had questioned Mrs. Chalmers, the school monitor, about what her definition of seniority was. At first, she had only responded with “Age”. After hearing this, I had asked her to elaborate a little more, “It’s something you earn yourself. Like the parking spots, it’s determine by the reputation you created yourself through attendance (showing up on time, or late). It’s a privilege that is determined by you.” I’m assuming that the reason for only mentioning the parking spots is simply because that it her specific responsibility. This is also applicable to the next person I asked; Mr Breen, the librarian. “Seniority is people who have put their time in, they paid their dues, and now they get perks from arriving to where they are now.” And, I further questioned about the library, and the advantage that seniors have, “They have no study halls, so during their free periods they have more of an option as to where to go, however they still need passes. With the passes, we generally aren't that picky because…they’re seniors. They have a lot on their minds with college applications. However, regardless of these restrictions, we still see an equal amount of admissions into the library from each grade — not just seniors.” Understandable; respected.
With upon saying this, seniority should be banned, and if not at least moderated within boundaries. And to any senior reading this; sorry. Yes, you have been here the longest, but the restrictions placed against the younger students due to something we simply cannot help (grade/age), is just flat out unfair and further unnecessary. If administration feels the need to place limits and restrain us from our full ability, then hold these beliefs against all of us, not just 75% of the school. School parking, for example, should be a “first come first served” sort of thing. If you can drive to school and get there on time, then that parking spot should be rightfully yours. And same of course for the library, first come first served. If you have a valid pass, then by all means, go and take a seat. All that is asked, is limitations to these restrictions.
Think about it…
