Barbara Morrison
Editor-in-Chief

I have two days of school left before senior internships begin and it’s a little terrifying. For the many seniors who are leaving early for internships and projects, there is a combination of emotions as they realize that the high school career that they have been wishing away with senioritis and senior skip days, is now, actually, over. There is excitement, anxiety, sadness, fear, relief, and still more excitement.

While leaving early makes me nervous, waiting till the normal let-out date would be pretty unbearable. I’ve heard back from my colleges, have signed up for accepted student days, and am just not up for doing homework for grades that do not mean a lot to me anymore. My time will be so much better spent doing community service to repair and renovate East Boston Camps (my internship, along with about 16 other classmates). In fact, whether seniors are participating in an internship in their desired career field, or something fun and interesting, like planting a garden, leaving school early to do something of their choice is the best use of their time.

I’ve heard criticisms of students who are taking off to work at their normal summer jobs, or who are preparing for senior projects that others do not understand. Yet, whether or not outsiders would determine their internship or project “legitimate” is irrelevant. I agree with giving students an opportunity to use time they might waste in their last semester in school- when many students and teachers have given up- doing whatever it is that they, personally, think is helpful and useful for them. In my opinion, no use of time can be pointless if it was a personal choice. After all, as Bertrand Russell said, “time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.”

As I manage my conflicting emotions upon the close of my thirteen-year career in Westford Public Schools, I want to commend the Westford Academy administration for allowing such a great opportunity for seniors. Instead of pretending that seniors aren’t day dreaming about their college dorm room in their fourth semester classes, they have made a change to accommodate the reality of senior year. I think it is a wonderful and productive solution that works for everyone- teachers, parents, administrators, and, above all, students.

Also, I want to thank the guidance counselors for promoting the internship program. I had not planned on an internship at all until my guidance counselor, Wendy Pechacek, took time out of her day to talk to me about it, promoting its advantages and showing me all the possibilities. Spending time outdoors, in the sun, with my friends, and helping the community is the best way I could think of ending my senior year.