As we all know, there is a clear divide between the high schoolers and AC at this school, but my question is why? Of course, there is age and relative maturity to consider, but there is sometimes a chilling separation between us all. In this article, I will break down what divides us and why. Remember, though: this is an op-ed. I’m only sharing my opinion and analysis after being an AC kid for two years. It is not my intention to offend anyone, and if it doesn’t pertain to you, please don’t get offended.
AC BEHAVIOR
Almost every seventh grader goes through this annoying phase where they act like they have no home training. They get in the way during passing periods and are just overall obnoxious. I think that’s something we can agree on. However, nobody should fault them because they just came from an elementary school to a high school. They have all this energy and don’t know what to do with it. Sometimes that behavior carries into 8th grade, but after graduation, the jitters normally go away.
Harsh Criticism AND Preconceived Notions
People already dislike underclassmen, but the outward hate from upperclassmen just puts a bigger target on our back. People transfer to Brooks and hear their friends making jokes about the AC, so they do the same. It’s basic human behavior. Another possible reason could be that some of the high school students have been AC kids, had character development since then, and think about it like, “My class was bad, and I got bullied, and they’re even worse, so I’m going to bully them.” That doesn't make any sense to me, though, because if you didn’t like hearing it about you, why do it to us?
Lack of Community in the AC
Breaking this down from a logical standpoint, no one wants to be talked about negatively. So hearing this dialogue where you’re damn near hated and you’re being told “that’s that AC kid stuff,” having your opinion overlooked because you are an AC kid, and being blown off, you tend to want not to be an AC kid or even remotely associated with it. From my personal experience in seventh grade, when people were displaying childish and immature behavior, even we would respond with “that’s that AC kid stuff” (it sometimes still occurs now) and try not to be associated with whoever is doing it at that time. It’s out of necessity. Then you carry that mindset into eighth grade, looking at the seventh graders the same way the high schoolers look at all of us.
A disclaimer: I know not all seventh graders are annoying. For any seventh graders reading, if it don’t apply, let it fly. Also, I’m not trying to spread the narrative that all eighth graders hate seventh graders because that’s simply not factual. However, looking at the seventh graders the way the high schoolers look at us causes divide within the AC because the seventh graders get offended.
A disclaimer: I know not all seventh graders are annoying. For any seventh graders reading, if it don’t apply, let it fly. Also, I’m not trying to spread the narrative that all eighth graders hate seventh graders because that’s simply not factual. However, looking at the seventh graders the way the high schoolers look at us causes divide within the AC because the seventh graders get offended.
What You Should Take From This
Before I say this, I want any high schooler reading this article to take this in the most constructive criticism way possible. Stop being immature. If you are older, then be the bigger person. Some of you guys are also hypocritical because you can be just as loud, obnoxious, and annoying as we can. For us as a school to no longer be divided, we all must do our part, but it has to start with somebody. I understand it can be annoying, but if you internalize the words in this article, there can be positive change starting with all of you. Of course, you don’t have to take action, but I felt obligated to make this article because it’s not talked about nearly as much as it should be. (But I mean, what do I know? I’m graduating in less than a month, and then none of this will be my problem.)
