12 OPINION
THE LITTLE HAWK
THELITTLEHAWK.COM
October 12, 2023
TO PARK OR NOT TO PARK
ART BY ROSANGEL FLORES RUBIO By Catalina Armstrong
I
n 2022, City High updated the parking lots to give students more space for parking. Parking lots were extended in the upper lot by the newly renovated Arena and Hoover Elementary, which were constructed into extra parking spaces. The upper lot was strictly reserved for upperclassmen, whereas underclassmen had the Hoover lot, and two lower lots for parking. In the 2023-2024 school year, rules were changed and permission for parking in the upper lot was extended to freshmen and sophomores as well, resulting in very limited parking for juniors and seniors. “I think that a lot of people have been waiting their turn for three years, it is part of seniority, and it’s frustrating to have underclassmen parking in spots that are supposed to be saved for juniors and seniors,” Lili Moessner ‘24 said. Juniors and seniors have now had to park in what was previously known as the underclassmen parking lots due to freshmen and sophomores taking the closest parking spaces. “I had to park on the street a couple times this week which made me late for my class, I was very frustrated by that because I would have been able to park in the upper lot if it were just upperclassmen,” August Palmer ‘25 said.
“IT’S FRUSTRATING TO HAVE UNDERCLASSMEN PARKING IN SPOTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAVED FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS.” Lili Moessner ‘24
Upperclassmen students have complained about safety with their cars in the upper lot. Seniors have concerns about inexperienced drivers parking and driving the wrong way down the one-way route. “Ultimately, it’s a safety issue. A lot of inexperienced drivers are on the road, and I think separating the grades was a lot safer because you have the same amount of experienced drivers in one place. Having underclassmen down in the lower lot, where they can continue to learn by experience, is a lot better for them, and it doesn’t impact upperclassmen who have been waiting their turn,” Moessner said. Parking lot rules have been changed due to the lack of teachers and administrators available for supervision. Principal Bacon has worked hard to abide by students’ wishes for parking and has worked with the administration to provide space for student transportation. City High has invested in additional parking by adding a new lot off of 4th Avenue to give students more parking near
the teacher parking. Although grateful for the parking spaces, upperclassmen students have voiced suggestions of having underclassmen parking in the farther parking lots to respect seniority. “Juniors and seniors should be able to get closer parking since we have been waiting for three years to be able to park in the upper lot. I feel it is the most fair solution, the closer you get to graduation, the closer you get to park near the doors,” Palmer said. Attendance is one of City High’s number one priorities, and the teachers and administration have worked hard to ensure that all students attend Every Day, Every Class, On Time. Having designated parking for all grades would allow every student to incorporate enough time into their morning routine to get to school and class on time every day. “All last year, I parked in the upper lot, typically in the first couple rows. It was really easy to get to school and find a spot on time to ensure I made it to class on time. But this year, I usually get one of the last few spots
in the lower lot which has made me late for class multiple times as a senior,” Moessner said. Is it really all-inclusive if upperclassmen students are not able to park in the upper lot? The graduating class of seniors has shown the most frustration with these new rules. “Part of the seniority of being an upperclassman is being able to get close spots to park for class,” Moessner said. As a potential solution, students have introduced the idea of having seniors purchase parking spots and be able to paint or decorate them as each student sees fit. “I have seen a lot of other schools do this and it has always been something I was interested in,” Palmer said. At the beginning of the year when the annual Senior Sunrise occurs, a new tradition for seniors would be Paint Your Parking. “It would be a good opportunity for class bonding, it guarantees that everyone gets a spot no matter what open period, it’s an inexpensive way to make it fair for the students that have waited for parking privileges,” Moessner said. However, ideas still need to be inclusive to those who cannot afford to buy a parking spot with their own expenses. “Fundraising is a really good way to raise money for all students. Another idea could be getting waivers just as students do for free lunch. It would be a great way for grade class bonding and a way to include everyone who is graduating to get close parking in a fun way,” Moessner said.
