This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

With Seniors Graduating, Who Will Fill Their Spots?

With seniors leaving their leadership positions, underclassmen have the opportunity to step up into a new role in the high school community.

Being the youngest in my family, I'm used to hand-me-downs of all forms. If it isn't a pair of jeans that I am most likely too tall to accept anyway, it's a lesson in field hockey, a binder full of notes, or a mouthful of advice on how to carry myself through the the cafe and crowded hallways. 

Rarely am I on the oposite end of this giving game, until this year. I have realized with my old age of 18 that being a senior in the high school is more of an opportunity to give back than I had expected. Being a team's captain has shown me the relationships with younger students can surprise a big-bad senior with the amount of mutual value that lies therein. 

Especially in my later years in the high school, my love for student leadership has driven me to take part in several clubs and activities outside of my school work. In many cases, the work I have pulled together extracurricularly has molded into my own, becoming a part of me. Many of which include inter-generational efforts, school spirit initiatives, and other various community outreach programs. 

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now, I say this not out of ego, but as a plea for longevity! When I leave Weston, I would love to see the programs and clubs in which I have taken much time and effort to devote myself not decrease in participation. I have seen it in alarming numbers, the amount of community participation in the lower grades is decreasing every year!

Sophia Wirth, my co-president of the InterGenerational Club, agrees with me in regard to the lack of attendance at our meetings as a scary thought to our beloved club. Sophia and I have partaken in this particular club, as well as several other clubs together, for many years. It has really been a staple part of our strong friendship. For the both of us, there is no doubt that the clubs in which we joined and at certain times led have shaped our entire high school career for the better, making us into responsible and independent young women, (if I do say so myself :D).

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I see participation in extracurricularas decreasing in other sections of the school community as well. My softball team went from nearly 30 girls in the program last year to just 12 this year. And coming up in future years, there are currently only two softball players in the class of 2017. What is happening here?! 

Although at times my extracurriculars came on as an extra stress, overall I don't regret a single involvement I have had. 

So this is a call out to the younger generations! Take it from me, being incorporated into the high school community in more ways than one will bring new friends, new learning opportunities, and mostly, new ways to grow as an individual. 

In the upcoming weeks, Sophia and I will be on the lookout for promising students who can take on the responsibilities of the InterGenerational Club. For four years we have believed in what the club does and loved being involved as deeply as we have. Now it's time to pass the torch. Will an underclassmen rise to the challenge and make the decision that could change his or her high school career for the better? I look forward to seeing the fate of the various clubs at Weston High School that have made me who I am. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?