Senior year is a time for reminiscing and traditions. From pranks to senior sunrise, the longstanding traditions of the final year of high school are things that students look forward to, and senior quotes are no exception.
Recently at Farmington High School, new guidelines were introduced limiting the options students have for their senior quotes. Most of the controversy comes from students not being able to quote their favorite songs, movies, or any other forms of media.
Art teacher and yearbook advisor Lesli Svoke has run the yearbook at FHS for the past two years. As one could imagine, there’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into it, and when students don’t follow directions everything gets much more complicated.
“The following of directions in this are super important,” Svoke said. “It’s not a simple process, what we do. There’s a lot of things that go on that people don’t see unless you’re in yearbook.”
Many students may be surprised to learn that the updated guidelines aren’t much different from the old ones. There have always been some type of guidelines to ensure that there is nothing inappropriate or plagiarised going into the yearbook. The question is, are people paying attention to them?
“There were a few things that people tried to get past last year that were inappropriate for school,” Svoke said. “There were a lot of people that did not cite their sources.”
It wasn’t just the inappropriate comments that prompted the change. Citing sources is essential when quoting someone else’s words to avoid plagiarism, and a lot of students weren’t doing it. Ultimately, the main reason for the change was the lack of being able to follow directions.
Svoke is on the same page as her staff in terms of senior quote guidelines. Head student editor and senior Owen Sims, agrees with the updated guidelines.
“I feel as if the controversy is expected,” Sims said. “People will always be upset when they’re told they can’t do something. However, there is a reason for each and every guideline, and they are in place so that staff and students can run smoothly throughout this process.”
Another member of yearbook, senior Melyah Graham, also gives her stamp of approval on the updated guidelines.
“I do agree with the new guidelines, even though these are things that shouldn’t have to be said,” Graham said.
However, there isn’t complete unity across the senior class. Seniors like Mackenzie Persell believe that the opinions of students should have been considered when coming up with the updated guidelines.
“I think the guidelines should allow us to have more freedom and expression of what we want to say,” Persell said. “It affects us greatly and limits what we can say, and many were frustrated and sad.”
Opinions may be divided, ultimately the updated guidelines are the most reasonable outcome in this situation. The new and improved guidelines are a way for seniors at FHS to continue a beloved tradition while also avoiding plagiarism and inappropriate comments.
