On Monday, attendees of School Congress brainstormed potential changes to the daily and academic class schedule. I did not go. Not because I did not have any ideas to contribute, not because I had a conflicting commitment, but because I was scared. Intimidated by the prospect of serious discussion in the presence of many influential members of our community, including faculty and student leaders, I decided that the meeting would be too formal and too frightening. I know I was not alone. I have heard many students in my grade vocalize potentially effective solutions to Andover’s problems, but too many underclassmen considered School Congress an opportunity beyond their status. I did not realize my mistake until School Congress concluded — but by then, the damage had been done. The belief among underclassmen that we are perhaps “unworthy” or “not ready” to share our ideas and perspectives in front of the larger Andover community is not only incorrect, but detrimental: Juniors make up almost one-fourth of this school, and our opinions are vital to the success of this community. The most recent School Congress was meant to be a valuable opportunity for all students to engage in an issue central to the Andover experience — the daily class schedule. While student participation in School Congress has definitely increased over the past year – only 90 students attended in 2013 and 40 last winter, compared with around 250 students this week — Lowers and Juniors still need to be more active in these discussions. It is especially essential for Juniors to participate, however, in such discussions, because changes will affect them much more than their older, more outspoken counterparts. I have heard many pragmatic and sensible ideas thrown around by my Junior peers, fresh from other schools and invested in the future of Andover, and am saddened to know that most of them did not make it to the floor for debate. Another dimension of this problem is that younger students are more focused on fitting in with and conforming to, rather than changing and reforming Andover. Newer students assume they can leave it up to their older, more experienced peers to bring about change. In the midst of homework, sports and clubs, younger students may not see the urgency of campus issues and choose not to attend School Congress. Although Andover Juniors are passionate, ambitious and driven, we are too often reluctant to shoulder a responsibility that we assume other students will undertake. The lack of younger student involvement in social movements on campus is not new. In his article “Let the Juniors Join” published in the April 4, 2014 edition of The Phillipian, Avery Jonas ’16 wrote of the Feminism = Equality and More Than Just a Number movements that “if [they] do not actively include younger students, what was once a collaborative effort to promote discussion and awareness will no longer have the momentum to continue.” For, after all, he continues, “if upperclassmen do not prepare underclassmen to lead, what will happen when they are gone?” One possible solution to this problem is that Uppers and Seniors should work to encourage Lowers and Juniors to join the conversation. Whether this is by inviting a younger friend to Student Congress or engaging them in conversations over lunch, older students should ensure that younger students understand that they are wanted and necessary. Student government could even hold a School Congress specifically for underclassmen. In a discussion exclusively with other Juniors and Lowers, perhaps students would feel more comfortable openly expressing their ideas. The underclassmen at Andover must understand that our voices are just as valid as those of students who have been here for several years. The school needs to hear the ideas and perspectives of the entire range of students; underclassmen, Juniors especially, are perhaps most able to perceive problems on campus as they see Andover with a fresh set of eyes. Personally I regret that I did not attend School Congress. Seeing as these changes are the most relevant to us, I specifically encourage myself, and all underclassmen, to contribute to such discussions at every future opportunity.
