Miners, do you feel your opinion is being heard? Our school claims to be a democracy. Valuing feedback from not only staff, but students and community members alike, and allowing the wants of the students to lead the school, rather than an authority. But how often do PCHS students actually get a say? 

The ideas and desires of the students matter but are rarely ever heard, so I took it upon myself to get an understanding of the wants and needs of the students of PCHS. When interviewing students about what their wants are, I was expecting answers along the lines of longer lunches, later starts, shorter class periods, etc. While the desire to have ice cream at lunch was brought about by PCHS senior vice president, Will Province, a different unexpected theme was brought to my attention. 

PCHS senior, Cedric Donovan, made the direct claim. “I want respect,” he stated, thus bringing to my attention the common wants among PCHS students. Parking policies, and impoliteness in the hallways, school events, etc. are some of the many issues I have been made aware of, and they all stem from disrespect many of the students feel. 

Parking, for example, has been a common dilemma among the students of PCHS. Every class somehow feels disrespected by another class when it comes to parking. Not wanting to park in a certain lot, spots getting filled up, and tension over who parks where, are all causing these feelings. Similarly, in the hallway and at school events, many students feel disrespected by one another and sense a level of hierarchy within their class and outside. 

While some of these issues may have alternative solutions, the best way to resolve this issue is by exuding the same amount of respect you want in return. Respect is earned, not given, and to earn it, one must demonstrate respect to their peers. So why are we disrespecting each other and dividing rather than respecting each other and coming together? We deserve to feel respected at PCHS and the greatest way to achieve this is by coming together as a school and as a community and appreciating each other. We may not be able to entirely solve the issues faced at our school, but we can work with each other to fix them rather than against each other. 

So the next time you are faced with a problem and you feel disrespected, rather than blaming someone else, try being respectful and appreciative to your peers, and see how much more it helps in return.