Bergen August 2022

Page 42

{ SCHOOL DAZE }

TEENS SPEAK THEIR MINDS A chat with 11 high school seniors-to-be yields thoughts about vaping, cheating, learning online and having to compete for those precious slots at the college of one’s choice. By Rita Guarna

People who look back on their high school years as uncomplicated bliss are telling themselves a giant whopper. But even they, if they trod those hallways some decades ago, didn’t have to contend with today’s confusing mix of social media, a worldwide pandemic, online learning, school shootings in the news and unprecedented polarization. How are today’s students coping? It’s become an annual BERGEN tradition (though it took a pandemic pause last

year) to find out. So, in anticipation of the new school year, our editors gathered 11 kids from 11 different high schools, public and parochial, and more or less pleaded that they politely sound off. Most were rising seniors, and we asked them about the issues they face in their lives. For once there were no wrong answers. (There were, however, long ones— and we confess to having edited for length.) We figure it’s a chance for adults, in turn, to “listen”—and learn.

OUR FORUM MEMBERS

MODERATOR: Rita Guarna Editor in Chief, BERGEN

Christina Vitale Park Ridge High School

Isabella Galan Immaculate Heart Academy BERGENMAG.COM

BERG.0822.hs forum 2.indd 38

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Benjamin Leynse Leonia High School

Hayden Bratspies Glen Rock High School

Amy Kimel Pascack Hills High School

AUGUST 2022

7/15/22 10:46 AM


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