Imagine leaving to go out for lunch. You walk out to your car to find someone else’s trash from the last lunch period under your car. You’re not happy, but you still throw it away because it’s the right thing to do. 

This also keeps your school clean and helps out the custodians. The same concept also applies too when you come in the next morning after a sporting event has happened and there is trash left in the parking lot. 

    WSHS has experienced numerous instances of students having a lack of respect for school property this school year.  

In the fall, there was a  Tik Tok trend  of destroying one’s school bathroom or to just destroy anything to violate school property. This trend demonstrated a lack of school pride and the importance of  maintaining a positive school appearance.  

At South, the athletic wing bathroom had sink faucets go missing, toilets broken, and toilet paper stolen.  In general, several bathrooms were trashed.  

Senior Susan Firth said, “ I don’t understand how you can steal a faucet?” 

Fortunately, this trend did come to an end, but the damage was already done. Principal Mike Hinze said, “ Admin wasn’t happy of course, but what the students don’t understand is when something like this happens money gets taken out and that money doesn’t go to the fun activities.”  

As for the repercussions,  Assistant Principal Dr. Garrett Carter said, “The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits what school officials can disclose about other student’s discipline records.”

 Regardless, the repairs were made, but at the school district’s expense. 

More recently, there has been an issue with litter in the Senior Lot, which is located at the back of the school by the Athletic wing and entrance to the Commons.  Students as well as staff have complained about the litter on several occasions.  

 Many of the custodians also said that the commons area is a mess following lunch periods. They said trash cans are located throughout the commons, and they also walk around during the lunch period collecting trash from tables. Therefore, they sees no reason why you should be leaving your trash on the table at the end of the lunch period. 

Senior Sasha Dominguezz said, “After  lunch and sporting events are the worst.”  

Sport teams do get paid to clean up after sporting events. Junior Landon Beckwith said, “ Soccer cleans up after the football games and it’s the worst, trash is everywhere.”

Athletic Secretary Amanda.Crist said, “I’ve noticed there is a lot of trash. One day Mr. Good and I were leaving, and I saw a bottle under my car that wasn’t there when I went in that morning. Good thing I didn’t hit it because I was worried about my tires.”

Apparently the tennis court lot, which is used as an overflow for the senior lot, does not have the same issue with litter.  According to Senior Aiden Bricker, “ All I’ve seen coming in and leaving [tennis lot]is the same two old men playing tennis.” 

However, litter has been a concern in other areas around the school.  In the remodeled wings, the air vents and some ledges have been used as a trash receptacle. A substitute teacher in passing was picking up trash and was talking about how much trash is laying around. The school  has had some problems with litter in the new Blue Wing common area,  where students often hang out. 

English Teacher Bridget Schinker said,“ The reason you need a pass for the extra area is because last year it was trashed and destroyed.” 

Throughout  this school year masks are required, but it’s not uncommon to find them in random places and on the floor. Senior Dominic Caldwell said, “The amount of masks everywhere is crazy. I didn’t know the floor was required to wear a mask.”

Students and staff would like to remind all students to throw away your trash, so the school grounds reflect a positive atmosphere, where respect for self and property is valued.

Cadwell said, “Students remember to throw away your trash in a trash can. The school has them at every entrance to the school. If you can’t find one, I’m sure a teacher will let you throw away trash in their trash can. Let’s keep South from looking trashy.”