High school is a big step for any student. Entering school for the very first time is an even bigger step, and there has always been an issue with what some would describe as popularity. Popularity follows students throughout the years and remains an issue until graduation. Everyone has a different opinion on if popularity is a thing, or if social class division even exists in a place like SLHS.
One thing that makes a student well known is if he or she plays a sport of any kind. Their name is a staple to the team and plastered upon posters proudly displayed in the entryway or in the front of the office. One of the players displayed on a poster is senior Brynn Saxton who has spent a long amount of time playing sports in the Shark Tank. Saxton said, “I think I have made my name in the halls by being involved in many organizations and sports. Being involved in these extracurricular activities has led me to meet new people throughout high school. I think this was the reason I’ve created a name for myself, because being so involved led me to be open to these people leading to new friends. ”
On the other hand, there are students who prefer to get by on a daily basis by purely focusing on their academics without the stress of extracurricular activities. Many of these students feel left out of events such as assembly games– feeling as if the same names get called even when they signed up for the game themselves. Senior Kailee Reese said, “Over the last four years, I’ve noticed that popularity has become a huge issue. Every time me or another student that is considered unpopular has their hand up, the teacher calls on them first. We are the students who are yelled at and called out when the entire class does something wrong. As long as you have some popularity you are safe from the judgement from staff and students. Popular kids get to live their lives without worry or know of what happens to the kids who aren’t like them.”
What makes a student popular? Is it just his or her name? Is it the idea of a student doing more than others? Many students may or may not notice what they would say is an issue. Staff alike try their best to include everyone, but many feel as though this isn’t the case. Though popularity may not be an issue to most staff and students as most feel faculty tries its best to keep everyone equal, others could argue that there are rankings throughout the halls of the high school.
