Students come to Hotchkiss for different reasons. Some come for sports, some for art, some to experience a boarding community—but a common reason to attend this amazing school is to grow. As a four-year Senior, I can say with confidence that I am no longer the Prep who first stepped foot on campus and neither are my peers. The time we’ve spent here has challenged our beliefs and values and affected our outlook on both our Lakeville bubble and the greater world. After spending four years calling this place home, Seniors have learned what it means to succeed here. Therefore, it’s only fair we get some recognition for that.

At the end of an all-school meeting when “Seniors lead!” is announced, the phrase is not implying that Seniors are better than the rest of the school; it’s a reminder that as Seniors, we lead. When we walk out, we pass by students who look to us to set an example and prove what Hotchkiss is all about. The power to lead by example and represent the school is only possible if it is given to us, though. If people disrespect this tradition by standing up and leaving before us, we aren’t going to be able to model our values.

Hotchkiss teaches its students to manage their own lives. A way the school does this is by gradually giving more independence and leadership opportunities. Students start with a fixed academic curriculum, and then in Upper Mid and Senior year can take classes to specialize in their fields of interest. As a Prep, you have more study hall and dorm time than any other grade. For sports teams and clubs, captains and heads are typically the upperclass students because they understand the group’s values and can make informed decisions that lead to success.

The same goes with social privileges, which are like special tokens of appreciation for all the time you’ve spent at Hotchkiss, everything you’ve experienced and seen happen. As you get older, you get to sit further down in Walker, stand closer to the stage at dances, sit outside of the Snack Bar, take the shortcut across Senior Grass, and lounge with friends at Senior Quad, until finally, you get to walk through the middle doors at the front of the school. Reaching Senior year is a huge accomplishment, and we deserve to get commemorated for that.

I think it’s important to view seniority not in terms of what you can’t do, but as what you get to look forward to, what you will earn. Each year, you can “unlock” a new privilege; that should be exciting! But if lowerclass students don’t respect and abide by the traditions of seniority, they won’t be able to experience the excitement that comes with the great achievement of reaching Senior year.

I know respect must be earned, and it’s up to the Senior class to be good role models. But right now, this isn’t being recognized or received by the other side. Seniority is an undeniably important part of tradition that we should keep.