Small Town School Culture

BY: DAISY G.

West Jefferson prides itself on having a good culture. While we want to agree that the school has a good culture, what are the students saying otherwise?

THE POSITIVES

When asked about the small-town atmosphere at West Jefferson High School, students spoke of friendships and how that contributes to our culture. Layla Farley, a freshman, said, "I feel like it's easier to make friends. You know everyone so you don't see a stranger." Senior, Brenton Robertson, agreed. "It [West Jefferson] is a fun community.”

More of the positives that were brought up more frequently was the easy access to teachers. Cory Ratcliff, junior, states “The teachers are more able to help so there's not like hundreds of kids asking a teacher different questions.” Brenton also agrees by saying, “I like how the teachers are because they see everybody so they know everybody”.

THE NEGATIVES

With that being said, Ratcliff thinks that “drama is a big thing” in our small-town high school. Riley Marshall, sophomore, has noticed it as well. “If you do something wrong then everyone knows what you did… you just got one shot and that's it.”

Robertson and Farley, agree that rumors seem to travel fast. Robertson said, “If you don't want something to be spread around it goes around pretty quick”. Farley agreed: “Say you say something to one of your friends...eventually the entire town and school knows about your personal life and business.”

Ratcliff notices a sense of apathy:“A Lot of kids seem like they don't want to be here.”

As someone experiencing her first year of high school, Farley recognizes how the culture still has a lot to improve. “I was anxious to walk into the door. I automatically think people are thinking bad about me.”

CONCLUSION

As the school year moves forward, West Jefferson High School should take notice of the student's opinions about the high school's culture.