It shouldn’t be embarrassing to be caught wearing pajamas to school on Pajama Day. But when nobody else dresses up, it most definitely is.
In recent years, Mountain Lakes High School has seen student participation plunge significantly for certain events. In addition to a Spirit Week that demonstrates very little spirit, few students dress up for Halloween unless they’re a part of a sports team; the Decades Dance was eradicated after only one year; students were offered the opportunity to paint their parking spots, but only about twenty students participated; the number of talent shows reduced from two to one with only seven contestants; AND the Winter Formal was almost cancelled due to a near 50/50 student vote, regarding whether or not it should take place…
Mountain Lakes has had significant trouble inspiring student enthusiasm recently–except for when it comes to clawing to find out where everybody is applying to college. But why? What’s the cause of this apathy in a town whose cars are covered in Laker Pride bumper stickers?
Is it just Mountain Lakes?
It’s no secret that Mountain Lakes has a reputation for its solidified social cliques and tense, competitive energy. Evidently, students can easily be caught prioritizing caramel iced coffee from Dunkin and deep college dives on Naviance over school spirit.
Is this problem solely Mountain Lakes’, or are other high schools experiencing the same dip in school spirit and participation? What’s the situation outside of “the bubble”?
I asked my friend from Montville High School if he had noticed similar trends within his own high school. Interestingly, he too noted diminishing school spirit within his school. In a recent fundraiser, Montville High sold Yankee Candles for a cause and only thirteen kids participated out of his entire grade. He even observed that fewer people make an effort to speak in the classroom than ever before.
Perhaps Mountain Lakes is simply typical in its similarities with other Morris County high schools. But if the declining school spirit is not specific to Mountain Lakes, then what is behind this discouraging change?
Is it our age?
There’s always some truth in the things you hear your parents and teacher muttering under their breaths. “Rotten kids…”
Biologically, it is widely acknowledged that we experience increased levels of apathy and independence in our adolescent years. Just look at the way teenagers are portrayed in any stereotypical high school movies!
The Health Central website explains, “[Adolescence] can be a period of painful change. It’s an overt and almost overnight rejection of everything you once were.”
However, this does not explain how the levels of participation used to be very high. Ten years ago, I remember attending my brother’s talent shows with my parents and barely getting a seat in the back amongst his intimidating, fired-up classmates. If teenagers were always apathetic about everything, then there wouldn’t be any explanation for the significant drop in participation numbers.
Is it our generation?
A lot has changed over the last ten years.
Born from the mid-1990’s to the 2010’s, the kids of Generation Z are proving that “less frequent and meaningful in-person interactions” instill apathetic behavior. It is theorized that teenagers are too engaged with their electronics to engage in group activities. Our screens have allowed us to isolate ourselves because we learn to focus on maintaining relationships through social media. As a result, kids have shortened attention spans and lessened comfortability with social interaction.
Some blame our indifference on the positive reinforcement and participation trophies that were prominent in our upbringings. Kids are taught that “trying” and “shooting for the stars” are simply enough to succeed.
As a result, our generation has been dubbed by older generations as “lazy and unaware.” Furthermore, a recent poll surveying teenagers identified 70% as “not politically engaged or politically active.”
Other critics observe that Generation Z is especially politically active, triggered by the numerous recent political scandals (Trump, mass shootings, terrorism, etc.). It is argued that the increased prominence of social media helps teens to build their careers and portfolios.
However, elders have been quick to criticize the youth throughout the course of human history. When public transportation became easily accessible in the 19th Century, many newspapers chastised teenagers for being too lazy to walk. Even famous philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates showed no hesitation from castigating the 4th Century youth. Given the historical trend, coupled with demonizing teenagers, perhaps these concerns should be taken with a grain of salt.
Is it nothing at all?
So what’s going on here?
As is standard procedure, when all hope of justifying the trend was lost, I turned to Mr. Schutz. Not only is Mr. Schutz backed by several years of teaching social studies–he attended Mountain Lakes High School, quite a few years ago!
Contrary to my hypothesis, Mr. Schutz claims not to have noticed any decrease in student enthusiasm in recent years. While he acknowledged the many fallen events cited at the beginning of this article, he brought to my attention the many other new traditions and programs that have started to thrive.
The Citrus Connoisseurs club is vastly attended; the entrepreneurship program is robust; the halls are decorated for Christmas. Even the blood drive, which only had about three volunteers a few years ago, is now bursting at the seams with willing donors.
Any changes we see in student participation are simply the natural decrease of interest in events that grow old and tired. For example, we retired pep rallies many, many years ago, but now that they’re back for “the first time,” these events fill the gym with colorful shouts of enthusiasm.
As Mr. Schutz suggests, maybe all we need to revitalize our favorite traditions is to take a break, give them a rest, and return to them when the student body can gather the excitement again.
0
0
Average Rating