Last year, I wrote an article on this schedule for credit in my journalism class. I remember spending hours thinking about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. Writing that article gave me a sense of purpose and a way to share my thoughts. This year, I am writing again voluntarily because I need a way to express and voice my opinions. When I found out that I would not be able to take journalism this year, I was devastated. I could not fit the class I used to express myself into my schedule. 

I find it ironic how the very thing I had written about and spoken out against last year ended up being the reason I lost the chance to publish my work again. I tried to use my voice to make a point, and now that same situation has taken away my platform.

Even though I am a senior with a full schedule, I refuse to let that stop me. I am not writing for credit or a grade. I am writing because I want to express myself. Writing has always been a way for me to share my thoughts and feelings with the world. Thanks to my last year’s English teacher Ms. Forker and also Mr. Ringel, who both pushed me to find my voice through words. When I write, I feel heard, I feel like I matter. That feeling should not be limited by scheduling conflicts or school rules.

This is my last year at Stamford High School, so you may be thinking, “Why do you care? You are not going to be here next year.” But that’s not the point. I don’t think it is right for students who are already dealing with overwhelming things in life to have to deal with a schedule change every year. That is not stable. I hope that the students after me will advocate for more consistency and reliability from the place that should provide it the most.

I know I’m not the only student affected. This schedule has disrupted many people’s routines and made it harder to balance schoolwork, personal time, and activities we care about. But I have always believed in persistence. Even when circumstances make it difficult and it feels like the odds are against me, I choose to speak up.

So here I am, writing again. I will not let this situation silence me. I will continue to advocate for myself and my peers, and I will keep asking for students to be put first. I want to be in the classes I choose, to have the space to grow, and to have the freedom to express myself. That is not just important for me; it is important for all of us.

We need to stick to one schedule. Switching them every year is confusing and not healthy. Stop using students as your scheduling guinea pigs.