Jenn Alonso
Staff Writer
I catch myself as I was about to raise my hand to ask to go to the bathroom
and just sign myself out and go; it takes some time to getting used to being trusted
and treated like an adult. It feels weird being able to walk through the school
without having a photo ID displayed and a signed pass in my hand or a guard
patrolling every hallway like I had grown used to after 3 years at Monmouth
Regional.
The main reason I wanted to switch was not only because the school is
all shiny and new compared to over sixty years old and painted obnoxious neon
colors with cockroaches running around but also because CHS has a variety of art
specific classes which I love. What I didn’t expect however was being free from an
oppressive atmosphere I never even noticed was there until I left.
Until I switched to CHS and became one of the new design academy seniors I
never thought I’d actually want and enjoy coming to school everyday. The teachers
are nice and funny as opposed to harsh and rigid and actually do their job and teach
you here, no surprise I’m not struggling to pass my classes. The fact that the classes
are an hour and a half long as opposed to forty-five minutes might have something
to do with it as well, I suppose.
The bell rings marking the beginning of lunch. Even though the line takes the
forever, the quality of food compared to my other school is well worth it. No more
cardboard pizza or grease drenched cold fries everyday. The amount of healthy
alternatives offered is a better option than being forced to skip lunch every day
because of the fattening food the cafeteria pushed.
The best part is that I actually have time to eat in the hour provided
compared to the twenty-three minutes that we were given. Even though I am going
to miss the annual food fight every year that usually results in us going home early
I can do without the hostile environment. It was shocking that the students at this
school were actually good, decent, educated people. The first day of school someone
I never even met before gave me a cupcake. When the guidance counselor came
into our VC shared class last year and told us about this opportunity I was excited.
Clearly coming to this school was a good decision.