Students work toward a future

By Billy Tyler

Reporter

Oct. 25 marked the end of the first quarter at Crete-Monee High School. With report cards being sent out, many thoughts were on people's minds. What college will I go to? What comes next? How will I be able to get better grades?

CMHS boasts many opportunities and clubs to help progress student goals. For those students looking to get their grades up or who just need a quiet place to get work done, there is homework lab in the Media Center.

Along with academic help, there are also physical activities such as football, basketball, and other sports, alongside NJROTC, which teaches members structure and leadership skills.

“My dream is to become a police officer,” said Mason Lazzaroni, a member of NJROTC, whose goal requires him to work hard physically and academically. “I think that NJROTC and the Cadets program I’m a part of help with that.”

Some students feel as though they have fallen behind, but there are many good teachers and great faculty members at Crete-Monee, many of whom offer after-school help to those who need it.

Katie DeVries is a student who feels “pretty good” about her progress on her academic goal to ever drop below eighty percent in any class. It is a reasonable goal that many students should strive for; an 80 percent is a B-, which is slightly above average.

“Honestly, if I could never get anything lower than a C I’ll be happy,” said Brent DeVries, a junior who works in the Drama Club. “To do better, I need to just make sure to take the time out of my day to study and work.”

Many different paths lie before students after high school, such as sound engineering or theatre/drama. The possibilities are endless, and students should take classes that aid them in the future.

College is another path open for those students willing to take the time and effort.

Going to college relies even more on grades than some people think. If someone is a star football player, but they neglected their grades, they will not be able to get into the school they want.

“I prefer teachers to let me do the work myself after explaining it,” said Kameron Casper. “I’m more of a do-it-yourself guy.”

No student claims themselves perfect. Hard work and dedication to a cause are just some of the motivators for a student to want to work hard. Motivation is a large portion of what students need to move forward in life.

Students set academic goals to help them move forward. Academic goals are simply stepping stones to reach a ‘vision,’ a statement of future success.

“I’m going to become a sound engineer,” said Brent, who currently is in sound engineering. “I’d say that class helps me the most, seeing as it is a class about the profession I’m going into.”

CMHS has been putting a large emphasis on the importance of attending school, given the importance that society gives grades and college.

Being tardy can be understood. Maybe there is a family matter to attend, or a student has fallen ill, however being out of school frequently has implications for the future.

If a student is not present for class they will be unable to receive a grade or will acquire a lower grade than they deserve.

Punctuality is a virtue to the society that students will eventually push into. If a person is late for work then it will be forgiven to an extent, but eventually, the person’s boss will grow weary of their lateness.

In the same way, students should make being on time a top priority. If they do not turn work in on time they will get low grades.

“I am planning on going to college to become a drama teacher,” Katie said. Katie’s vision hinges on how well she does with her grades. “All of my classes right now are over 80 percent.”

Katie cannot afford to be late with her work. Her grades should be a top priority.