Senior Service is a quintessential rite of passage for West Essex seniors. It’s a time when they dedicate themselves to serving their community instead of finishing out their classes in June. It is a rare opportunity for seniors to return to their favorite elementary schools for one last time or volunteer for an organization in their desired field of study before officially becoming West Essex alumni. 

The program is meant to encourage students to serve their  local community, learn and, most prominent, receive proper closure before entering “the real world.” It has the potential to be a very meaningful and rewarding experience for the young adults — but unfortunately, that experience is tainted by having school administration package it with many ultimatums and scathing warnings. 

Seniors are reminded frequently of the strict attendance policies, grade requirements and behavioral standards they need to “deserve” getting a Senior Service placement. These reminders are in some cases needed, but they’re not really being given to help students land a rewarding service opportunity. Instead, they end up reducing Senior Service down to a hunk of bait dangled in front of seniors to keep them upholding sometimes unrealistic expectations. Seniors are supposed to “earn” Senior Service, rather than do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Students have to minimize any sick days needed and sacrifice other out-of-school activities to meet the slim 10 day absence policy with exceptions made only for extenuating circumstances. 

Understandably, the administration realizes that as second semester comes around, some seniors may start to let go of the gas pedal and coast, academically or otherwise — but marketing Senior Service as something to be earned diminishes the moral point of it. 

Getting the chance to engage in community service shouldn’t be based on how many days you came to school sick just to make it in, how many tests you aced to pass a class or how many times you forgot your ID at home to get detention. It should be based on encouragement and growth, a time to embrace a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back to the community you grew up in before leaving for good. It shouldn’t be a perfect attendance certificate.