by Erin Moy
Lately, change has been in every aspect of our lives. Signs, bumper stickers and news reports inundate us daily. It is no longer a mere word; change has become a dogma.
Obviously, change is an inescapable part of life. It is part of what the high school experience is all about.
There is, of course, our new president whose campaign ran on the catch phrases “hope” and “change.” Though critics pointed out that the campaign was merely recycling old political jargon, the words grew as President Obamaâs campaign gained momentum; people began to believe in “hope” and “change” with fervor that hasnât been seen in politics for years. No one cared how fresh the words were; they just cared about what the words represented.
As we start a new semester, I feel like we are in a fairly similar situation without the optimistic feelings.
In political terms, it seems to be an uphill battle for the majority of juniors and sophomores. Do we salvage our G.P.A or keep it the way it is? Like the U.S. Economy, there is no “clean slate,” only a stimulus package which, on our end, looks like itâs going to come in the form of a permanent desk in Silent Study (costly in the sense of our social lives, not taxpayersâ money).
On the other hand, there are the second semester seniors who are the object of the lower gradesâ envy. Similar to our new president, they have campaigned hard and are now reaping the benefits.
There is of course, the never ending question: do they pull out, happily succumbing to senioritis or wait until they have fully finished their high school careers?
These are not new questions or new situations. Iâm also no charismatic presidential candidate trying to rouse the entire nation behind me. But, if “hope” and “change” can take on a new, fresh meaning for the entire country, canât we adopt them in the new semester?
