ID’s: Students Hate, Adults Appreciate
Jenna Leon
Photo Advisor |
February 22, 2016
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Buhach Colony High School is among many high schools, who are under the strict rule of wearing ID’s. The question being thought and argued about the most is: “Are ID’s really helpful or are they just worthless?” It’s a question that has been wondered by every student and adult in the Merced Union High School District that has had to undergo the rule of wearing ID’s everyday. While students think they are “dumb and worthless”, adults are disagreeing stating that ID’s are “helpful and a smart idea.” Whichever side you may be on may change once you realize the real reasons behind the rule of having to wear ID’s.
ID’s have not been a part of the dress code until the beginning of the year 2012. The rules were bent a bit by the school after a while. First ID’s were only required for extended lunch, but then it change to being required for the entire school day. Students have not understood the true reasons behind ID’s being a part of the dress code. Senior Rosa Duarte says, “ID’s are labeling us [students] as if we are prisoners, always getting checked regularly as if we don’t know where we belong.” Though ID’s may feel like labels towards students, adults believe otherwise. Principal Steve Hobbs had given two examples during a small interview of where students were caught without ID’s and how dangerous the situations could have become. “We had an incident where a student from Atwater High School decided to ditch their school. They came onto our campus and the only reason we caught them and realized they didn’t belong was when they tried to sneak off campus.” Hobbs gave another example explaining how a student from two years ago looked like an adult and when he was asked to show his ID the student ran from Hobbs and the School Resource Officer, Mr. Moraz, caught him. The student showed his ID and was let go, but Hobbs stated that officer Moraz was ready to pull some sort of weapon out if necessary. “We want to make sure that everyone on our campus is supposed to be here so everyone is safe.” Hobbs later added. Later Officer Moraz agreed with Hobbs, stating how he didn’t have to wear an ID because he had his badge and name on him, but still wore one. He spoke of an incident when a graduate from a previous class wore his brother’s ID and was later caught. Officer Moraz agrees with Hobbs, saying that ID’s are just for the safety of the students. Though students all disagree, believing that ID’s are worthless and unimportant. Seniors Darius Mack, and Alexa Wescott are among the few that hate having to wear ID’s. Mack states, “I don’t like wearing them. I don’t see the point in them and I honestly believe there is no point in them.” This shows that students do not understand the importance of ID’s. Sure they are “outfits ruiners,” but the main reason behind them is to make sure that students belong to the school and to make sure that they are safe. Wescott believes that most people do not wear ID’s because they ruin outfits. She later states, “They are irrelevant and unnecessary,” but without ID’s how else are adults of our school going to identify us as students? Culinary Arts teacher Stephanie Schaefer speaks, stating, “I think ID’s are good because we need to identify everyone on campus and make sure that they belong, however I think we should have options for displaying them.” ID’s are not worthless, but rather helpful. They may be “outfit ruiners,” but they protect the students of this school. Without being able to be identified by the staff of Buhach, students may very well have a bigger chance of being in danger. This school has already had many incidents where students without ID’s have been found to not belong. Without ID’s every student may be in danger by an individual who may not belong at the school. However, the school should give more options for displaying ID’s, just as long as every student agrees to wear them in some way so that they can easily be identified. ID’s are a huge help because it’s better to be safe than sorry. |