Instead, we hosted an event called senior chapel (yes, I went to a Christian private school). We made parody videos about each grade in the school, made a music video with our senior picture memories, choreographed a dance to a dance song (that i forgot), and sang a few of our class’ favorite songs to the school. Our high school did this every year since I was in seventh grade. Watching other senior chapels was really entertaining. Even though the seniors low key roasted us, it was all for fun, and it made all of us reflect about the good times. Hosting this chapel ourselves was even more fun because we had the authority to be creative. At the end of it all, I felt a sense of satisfaction that I had great closure with my high school and a hope for the future ahead.
With that, I want to clarify that I am not against senior pranks. During high school, there’s a time to be serious and a time to let loose. A time to act professional and a time to play a few harmless jokes. However, there is never a time to commit a crime for your amusement.
Today, I heard that a couple of high schoolers took it too far with their senior prank. I don’t want to elaborate too much on what happened, but here is a news article about what occurred. There was a ripple effect that was evident all over my twitter feed about this. People were outraged. Local news accounts posted about the ongoing investigation. Even though I do not live in that school district or went to that school, I am pretty saddened with what went down. I feel pity for those seniors who were not involved, the staff and custodians who have to clean up the mess, and the alumni for feeling this type of rage.
I understand that high school can feel like hell sometimes. It’s a place where you’re under a lot of academic, extra curricular, and social stress. Doing a senior prank is a symbol of ayyyy fam i’m done with high school. screw the past. i’m ready for better things in life. It may be low key disrespectful, but administration just shrugs it off because it’s the seniors’ last day, and stuff like skipping a day of school to go around the island or putting ALL of the desks upside down is minor. Today’s “senior prank” is unprecedented. It went beyond the implications of a senior prank; it went too far.
It is hard to imagine some kids having the audacity to damage not just school property, but ALSO the property of the state of Hawaii. According to the news article above, people could potentially be in prison for up to five years for this. In five years you could complete your bachelor’s degree and maybe start your masters degree. Instead, you could end up doing time. Even if you don’t do time, that will be on your records forever, and it will be hard to convince a future school to let you in or a future employer to get you hired.
I feel the most pity for the diligent students who were a part of this. I understand that it takes a lot of strength and time to have outstanding grades, and sometimes, you have to let loose from the stress. The students that decided to let loose this way can never go back now. They had a lot of potential, and all the rewards that they worked so hard for is thrown away within seconds. SECONDS.
What saddens me the most is that some students left behind a horrible legacy to their school, and their school pride has diminished. Every student has a love/hate relationship with their school, but at the end of the day, there’s a sense of school pride. This particular school has helped them become who they are today, and they wouldn’t change a thing. Defacing the school implies that you’ve hurt the school pride. Staff and administration has invested their all into helping students pursue knowledge, ethics, and responsibility; however, some students has indirectly hurt them.
With that, I hope that everyone can take away something from what happened today. Yes, we are all bound to make mistakes. Mistakes make us more mature and smart. However, do not make mistakes that will severely cost your future. Analyze the causal chain and opportunity costs that this particular action will create. How will my family and friends react? Will this bring me lasting happiness? What are my intentions (are these intentions selfish or selfless)? Academic intelligence in high school has ended for these students, but emotional intelligence (such as the act of self-actualization) needs to be pursued beyond high school.
source http://schoolplaygroundsurfaces.tumblr.com/post/144544854119
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