The Controversy: The Role Of Adversity In Schools

Life is a series of choices. How one responds to challenges and adversity often shapes the person that they become. In my own personal experience, there have been many times where I have been forced to call into question a belief or idea. Challenging ideas and beliefs is an important aspect of moral and intellectual development. I recently experienced a key component of my development when I challenged an idea held by my school. The school imposed rules stating that in our school yearbook, shoulders, quotes, and superlatives would be removed. This removal sparked sudden controversy throughout the senior class. In order to develop a firmer grasp of the removal of these three yearbook components, my two best friends and I met with our yearbook advisor to discuss the issue. After
We were prompted to protest against these newly enforced rules by the sense of injustice we felt was being supported. For the 25 years our school since our school's founding, the traditions of quotes and superlatives have been in place. In addition, the women in our grade had not been informed of the no-shoulder policy until after their senior pictures had been taking: this would have caused students to pay hundreds of dollars to retake their photos. My challenge to the administration gained enough attention to initiate a change. The school agreed to revoke the new rules and allow shoulders, quotes, and superlatives back in the yearbook. Not only did it gather the attention of the school, but of the Omaha World Herald as well. Overall, this experience evoked a profound realization in my life. One person can create a massive impact on the world if they take the proper action to do so. Through respectful questioning, a real change can be created. Life is a series of choices, and it is about making the right