The trials and tribulations of opening a new high school

Editor's note: We welcome Tiffany Reed as our newest Culpeper Life columnist. Tiffany is a sophomore at Culpeper County High School. She plays on the JV softball team and was recently elected regional FBLA historian. Tiffany says she believes her job as a writer is to "communicate others' thoughts and ideas…I understand the importance of recording events and…my goals it to make a difference in the way teenagers are viewed throughout Culpeper by writing a monthly column depicting student's thoughts on specific issues." Today Tiffany gives insight into the CCHS-Eastern View High School transition.

While the Culpeper County Public School System prepares for the opening of Eastern View High School this fall, Culpeper County High School students have some very strong thoughts about the plans being made for next year.

Rising seniors (the class of 2009) continue to complain about the dividing of their graduating class, doing all they can to convince the county to wait another year before opening the new school. Current junior Sarah Campbell thinks that the school system should have considered students' thoughts before deciding when to open EVHS.

"They should have waited another year, or at least allowed us to choose which school to attend," Campbell said.

Several students have held meetings with CCHS administration or attended School Board meetings asking for some say in the matter.

Although juniors Emily Watkevich and Nicole Woodworth believe that the separation of their class will cause much "emotional damage," they both are thankful "to have more room in the halls."

"The hallways are so overcrowded that you have to push people to make your way through the crowd." Woodworth explained.

"There are so many opportunities available at EVHS that aren't offered here." Watkevich added.

Despite the overcrowding, sophomore Jackie Bedsaul is excited and believes that, "at first the change will be overwhelming for the seniors, but everyone will eventually adjust." Bedsaul however is worried about the continuation of sports programs between both schools, and how they will interact with each other.

CCHS head football coach Greg Martz understands Bedsaul's concern and that of other athletes.

"Anytime you have a split it affects the programs," Martz said. "As a football coach the aspect of being across the field from the kids that I formed relationships with is very hard to deal with."

Many CCHS varsity teams feel as if they've spent most of their high school career building up to their senior year only to find they are going to be broken apart, making that building process seem somewhat worthless.

Nevertheless, sports aren't the only subject filled with uncertainty.

Many individuals are confused by quickly spread information concerning next years plans. Rumors that AP classes are going to be dropped created a frenzy among academically advanced students. Statements such as," There's going to be a Starbucks inside of our cafeteria," and "every classroom will be supplied laptops," are being spread by some EVHS-bound students. Neither of those statements is true, by the way.

"You don't know if what you hear is true or if it's just rumor," one student stated. It can be inferred from this statement, and many others made by anonymous school system employees, that students and staff are not being informed in an effective way. As a sophomore at CCHS, I personally sympathize with the class of 2009.

There are many opinions as to what the school system could have done to avoid this controversy. Although the building of the new school has caused much student conflict, its construction is way overdue.

CCHS is overpopulated and something had to be done eventually, despite the emotions of next year's senior class. Only time can tell the outcome of the journey into the 2009-2010 school year.

Tiffany Reed is a sophomore at CCHS. E-mail