May 2O21
Opinions
27
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ACCEPTANCE Letter by Brooke Beers Photo courtesy of Leonard’s Graduating high school is a rite of passage as their own and offend for the American teenager. It means taking a others by accident due to a step into the real world, maturing from a high lack of knowledge of culturschool senior to an adult. For many Trinity al norms. The bubble they students, we have walked these hallways for grew up in never protectthe past four years or more. And as much as ed them, it only hindered we might be ready for a change of scenery, I their ability to understand often wonder if the transition to college might the world around them. be a shocking awakening that the world is not Perhaps they drop out of what we have experienced within the confines school, or just struggle without enjoyment for their of Trinity. As a college preparatory school, Trinity does college years. This isn’t including the an excellent job of teaching teenagers to integrate, titrate acid-base solutions, and read nov- other students of Trinity, els such as “Americanah” and historical declara- those who might have years tions of rebellion (two examples that ironically of confusion and a feeling have given students like me the knowledge of not belonging for their and inspiration to write this article). However, seven years at Trinity. Often, they wish their Trinity has not exposed us to the type of environment prevalent in colleges, universities, school would step up and and the workforce. I know the school wants acknowledge this group of the best for its students of all backgrounds, no students who would love matter their gender, race, religion, or sexuality. to feel like they can exist as I write this article because I know Trinity cares they are, without altering themselves depending on enough to listen. For instance, imagine your “typical” high- whether they are on or off school student attending school from sixth campus— or perhaps even through twelfth grade, partaking in clubs, be able to find their group who will help them be sports, and at all, since student govTrinity needs to make it clear that themselves their off-campus life ernment. They be- they support all of their students by might not be accepting, friend many allowing student clubs and acknowl- either. It would be nice to know my school supother students and edging these students they have ig- ports me as I am, they are generally nored in the past. We are here, we think to themselves. graduating this considered aren’t going away, and we would like yearI am and I will never step well-liked back onto Trinity’s camand popular. to feel welcome. pus as a student. I hope Then, they enroll in a large university. There, they strug- to leave the school better than I found it, to gle to communicate with other students who ensure every student has their “college prepadon’t share the same background and beliefs ratory” education and experience to succeed
after they walk across the stage and flip their tassel to the other side. Trinity Prep always says they have their students’ best interests at heart, and so I believe that we can take this step to ensure every child 6-12th grade can thrive: Trinity needs to make it clear that they support all of their students by allowing student clubs and acknowledging these students they have ignored in the past. We are here, we aren’t going away, and we would like to feel welcome.
