As the school year commences and the carefree memories of summer fade, the onerous responsibilities of the Year II begin. Along with submitting college applications, keeping up grades, doing extracurricular activities, and maintaining a social life, Year IIs are faced with raising money for the senior trip, prom and graduation. The Year II Committee was formed to ensure that these momentous events run smoothly.
The committee members were selected by democratic vote; students were allowed to self-nominate or nominate as a team of two. Each college advisory then elected members to represent them in the committee. Within the committee, there are three sub-committees broken up by interest: senior trip, prom, and fundraising. The committee gives students a chance to have control over their senior activities, something not often attained in traditional high schools.
“It’s a great experience to be on the committee,” Kristal Pacific remarks, “I feel like I have a say in what happens to my grade, and that feeling is empowering.”
Being a part of the Year II committee also allows members to gain experience in managing their own expenses and prioritizing what they value for their graduating class. Unfortunately, many of the Year II functions are turning out to be extremely costly. With the prospect of $350 per student solely for senior dues, not even including the senior trip, the graduating class of 2010 is approaching an expensive senior year.
Luckily, there is the fundraising committee, which raised over $100 from a thirty-minute bake sale during an open house. While this is a start, it is nowhere near the vast amount of money needed to organize the events. The high cost of senior year events in combination with the citywide ban on bake sales, is causing some students to doubt the effectiveness of fundraisers.
In an attempt to combat steep expenses, however, suggestions for alternative fundraising solutions, such as a school dance, DJ battle, dodgeball tournament, and concert have been made. Efforts such as selling fruit in the gym office have already been enacted. As the school year progresses students should look for new information on how to help the senior class.