Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?
October 20, 2021
By Charlie Hex
News Editor
In the past at Millikan, the leftover spaces from the parking pass lottery have been made available to juniors. This year however, only seniors have been permitted to participate in the lottery.
The luxuries that come with parking close to the school can be just as beneficial to juniors as they can seniors. For example, those who have a job don’t need to worry about walking far, they can simply get to their car right as they leave campus.
According to ASB director Mr. Robinson, the decision to restrict parking passes to seniors was based on the model of what other schools in the district were doing. They wanted to make parking near the school a “rite of passage” to seniors since this is their last year here at Millikan.
Robinson says that the decision to exclude juniors completely was made over the summer after conferring with other administrators and activities directors from the other schools in the district. He reported that some schools did decide not to follow this model however, and instead they based the distribution of parking passes on GPA or first come first serve as opposed to a lottery. Only one school in the district has decided to open up parking passes to all grade levels, but Robinson did not know which school that was.
ASB member and SEGA senior Irlina Valdez says that although she does not have a parking pass herself, she feels “okay having parking passes available only to seniors because it’s their last year.”
Robinson also says that he didn’t receive much negative feedback in response to this decision, stating that he only heard from a “few juniors who were hoping to get a parking pass and couldn’t.”
Perhaps leaving the parking pass lottery to seniors is the better route to take considering that is their last year in high school, or maybe it would simply be more beneficial to a wider group of people if the parking pass lottery were open to everyone. However, for those juniors who are disappointed, next year they will have an even better chance of having front row access to their first class.
Taylor Thompson • Nov 7, 2021 at 3:49 pm
November 3, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021) Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to all Grade Levels?” The article discusses that only seniors are allowed to park in the school parking lot whereas in the past years juniors have been allowed to park in the parking lot as well. Juniors have been excluded from the parking lot lottery because the school wanted to make parking near the school a privilege the seniors get because it is their last year. This is understandable yet unfair to the fair amount of juniors that are responsible for getting themselves to and from school, jobs, and sports that take place right before or after school. In the past years the lottery targeted seniors but juniors were allowed to participate as well. This way seniors still are prioritized and juniors at least get a chance. Another option is distributing the spots by grades, anybody with a D or F in a class would have the option of parking in the school’s parking lot taken away from them. This way would motivate students to get their grades up. Either way seniors and juniors should both be allowed to park in the school’s parking lot.
Sincerely
Taylor Thompson, Grade 11
tyler de jesus • Nov 6, 2021 at 1:58 am
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20,2021), Charlie hex wrote an article titled “Should parking lots be available to all grade levels?” This article discusses that juniors aren’t allowed to get parking passes anymore and only seniors and staff. But I understand why seniors have the privileges of having a parking pass. I believe that juniors should have them too because there are some students who have worked for their licenses and need to drive their car to school but can’t park in the parking lot and have to park a mile away. Junior students should at least be able to park in spots in the parking lots if there is space. Some students have to come an hour earlier in the morning before school starts just to find parking in the neighborhood because there is no parking in the area. With parking passes it would be a little easier to find parking in the lots and would save lots of time if there are spaces for them. It would also save a lot of time walking to your car to get home instead of walking far into the neighborhood.
Marissa McGrath • Nov 5, 2021 at 9:49 am
November 1, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?”. The article presents the question of whether or not other grad levels should be allowed to use the school parking lots or if they should be restricted to only seniors. Before reading the article I wasn’t aware that only seniors were allowed to use the parking lots. I had been under the impression that it was open to anyone as long as they enter and win the parking pass lottery. When the article mentioned that other schools in the district didn’t follow this same routine I was curious as to which schools they were. I’m particularly interested in which school allows all grade levels to park in the school parking lots and why they chose to do so, instead of allowing just juniors and seniors to have access. I really liked how the author gave the perspective from both a Millikan senior and our ASB director, Mr. Robinson, but I also think it may have helped to get the perspective from a junior and ask them how they feel about it. The article was very well organized and gave a good amount of information without being too wordy.
Sincerely,
Marissa McGrath, Grade 11
Francisco Gomez • Nov 5, 2021 at 8:38 am
November 1, 2021
Dear, Corydon Editor,
In the article 10/2021 (published October 20, 2021), of “Should the Parking Lot be Available to all Grade Levels?” Charlie Hex wrote an article about whether or not the parking lot should be available to all grades that can drive. In this article Charlie Hex wrote about how it would be more convenient for the students that have to walk long distances to school and back should be given the opportunity to drive their car here to school and be able to park in the parking lot. It would just be a big help for kids that are able to drive to school. I believe that this parking lot should be first come first serve so whoever gets to the parking lot first should be able to park before anyone else. Yes this would start conflicts between the junior and seniors so that’s why we should have people out there to help the kids be able to find a parking spot and lead them to it without any drama or conflict. I believe that this article did a fantastic job at answering this question that many people wanted the answer to. In the end we just need to make sure that we treat the parking lot nicely and caring so that it doesn’t look dirty at all.
Sincerely,
Francisco Gomez, Grade 11
Ethan J. Kalliomaa • Nov 4, 2021 at 1:24 pm
November 2, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 1/2021-2022 (published October 20, 2021 Carlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels? ” The article mentions the situation with the school parking area, with the agreement that only Senior students can park there if they win a parking pass. I believe that this technique is a very good motive for Millikan because it is a special privilege given to the senior class. Especially with their last year before graduating and going to college or finding a job. But aren’t school parking lots used for teachers and school employees only? Of course, there haven’t been too many complaints from Junior students except a few according to the article. But what about the morning or afternoon traffic issues? How many parking spots would be available? Because usually students or residents drive cars through Snowden Ave. Although I haven’t seen the other parking areas being crowded, it doesn’t mean that it might be crowded as well. My mom and I park on the other side of the main cross road and there’s nothing negative about it. It would be nice to park in front of the school or have a drop-off area. What’s the big deal with parking closer to school ? Of course, probably other students dread it sometimes due to the weather but nothing too problematic has happened. Except that kids don’t obey the rule of waiting, some kids jay-walk across the street and mom and I become worried and terriefied that someone would get hurt. Maybe there should be an authorized safety account associating with street crossing.
Sincerely,
Ethan Kalliomaa, Grade 11
Molly Davis • Nov 3, 2021 at 9:33 pm
November 3rd, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 1 (published October 20 2021) of “Should The Parking Lot Be Available To All Grade Levels?” Charlie Hex wrote an article on the new parking lottery rules at Millikan High School. The new rule is that only seniors can enter into the parking lot lottery, while in years past Juniors could enter in the lottery as well. I agree with the fact that seniors should get all of the parking spots to honor their last year, because I would prefer to have one my senior year rather than my junior year. Hopefully, this will even give me and other seniors a higher chance of getting a parking place next year. Although, I can understand the other side of the argument, because many juniors have jobs and a parking spot would help them out. Maybe there is some way we can compromise on both ideas for the following year?Without this I would have not known about the new parking place rule. Was there ever an email about it? Still, I am glad this article is here to inform underclassmen about the new rule to go along with the parking spots.
Sincerely,
Molly Davis, Grade 11
Ava Sedillo • Nov 2, 2021 at 2:17 pm
In Issue 1/2021 (Published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “ Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?” The article mentions the recent decision made by Millikan High School that prohibits juniors from being able to obtain a parking pass and others’ thoughts about this decision. Prior to reading this article, I did have some knowledge about the parking passes from when my older sister attended Millikan a few years ago. From my understanding, the parking passes were a lottery targeted towards mainly seniors but also juniors. Seniors were given the passes first, but, the few spots that were leftover in the lots were then given to the juniors who had put their name into the lottery. The article had mentioned how this year they chose to switch it to only be available to the seniors based upon what other schools in the district chose to do and label it as some sort of “rite of passage”. I do understand that it’s their senior year and they are absolutely entitled to get priority on things or even get special privileges that not everyone else has but I think that they should switch it back to how it was before. Personally, as a Junior, I would love it for the passes to be open to the Juniors and Seniors again. Like many other kids, I have a job and although I don’t drive at the moment, I know quite a few other Juniors who do and they’ve expressed how they would love it if they would’ve offered the parking passes to some of the Juniors who have jobs, especially the ones who start almost right after school/ practice/ a game is over. With that being said, I have two questions, would the option for a few working Juniors to be granted a parking pass become a thing in the future? And, if the “Seniors only” rule is going to continue, are they going to be giving at least half of the passes to those who work? As my senior year approaches, I would love to be given the priority of having a parking pass so I don’t have to rush out of class and push my way out of the school just to get to my car. Thank you for covering this issue!
Jade Donahoe • Nov 2, 2021 at 2:02 pm
November 2, 2021
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), in the article “Should the Parking Lot be Available to all Grade Levels?” Charlie Hex discusses the decision to make parking passes only available to seniors. When I first read the article I had an idea as to why the decision was made and this article confirmed it. I used to always think it made sense for parking passes to go to juniors and seniors seeing as they are the only people of age to drive. Now I see that the majority of students driving though are seniors and seeing as it’s their last year it’s understandable why there should be a greater chance for seniors who drive to get a pass. It would make their last year just a little easier. I do think that there still should have been a chance for juniors to get leftover passes in a lottery of some kind. I know you can’t tell if someone is using their spot or not but surely not all seniors are driving or got a pass. It’s unfortunate for the few juniors like myself who wanted a pass but if you come early enough hopefully there are enough spots on the street. I will say good job overall! Although I would like to see some more opinions from the opposing side just so the article is more balanced and both sides of whether limiting which grade levels get passes was a good idea or not. If you include both sides of the equation there will be more interest and debate over this topic. This was a great article and it did a great job at answering my questions.
Julia • Nov 2, 2021 at 1:54 pm
November 2, 2021
In issue 1/21, (Published October 20,2021) Charlie Hex Wrote an article titled “should the parking lot be available to all grade levels?” This article is stating his opinion on whether we should let all grade levels into the luxury of having a parking pass. He simply stated that it would be easier for kids who have jobs so they wouldn’t have to walk so far. It would benefit those who can drive. After reading this article it would be best if we do first come first serve or if we let juniors and seniors into a raffle to get it. But will some Seniors get mad when they don’t get a spot? Do you think it would be chaos trying to find a spot? Although it is the seniors last year and they should get that luxury and they can. I think it’s unfair if we have enough spots to not let the Juniors park there as well. We should let the seniors get first pick and if there is extra space to it more cars then they juniors get next pick, and so on. It would benefit everyone and it would let juniors get a chance to park their car closer. Will this still be a problem in the future or will it change?
Samantha Dills • Nov 2, 2021 at 1:54 pm
November 2, 2021
In issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021) Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to all Grade Levels?” This article talks about Millikan’s recent decision that only seniors can park in the school parking lots. I think this is fair because it is the last year that seniors are going to be at this school and it gives them an exclusive opportunity because it is their last year. While in the past parking spots that weren’t being used by seniors were given to juniors I think it was kinda unfair that only some juniors got to have parking spots just because there were some that weren’t being used. Being a junior right now I would think it was unfair if only some juniors were able to park at school, and that’s why I think it is a good idea for the parking spots to only be for seniors. Because even if you are a junior right now you know that you and everyone else in your grade when you are a senior will all be given the fairness of having a parking spot in the school parking lot.
Jackson Galbreath • Nov 2, 2021 at 1:40 pm
November 2, 2021.
In Issue 1/2021 (Published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article called Should the Parking Lots be Available to All Grade Levels. The article discusses how that juniors can’t get parking passes anymore and I never knew that only specific grades got them until now. The decision made to restrict parking passes is valid but I believe that Juniors should be allowed to get some too, because they worked to get their license and now they don’t have a place to park the car they learned to drive. I can see the benefits of both sides. Only Seniors so that they can have it as a reward for it being their last year and because they might need to go to work after school but Juniors might have jobs to and then they will have to walk to their car to go to work. I believe that parking passes should be given out to people who need them the most. This article is very informative and helps give perspective on the making of this decision. Thank you for making this article and expanding my knowledge on this subject.
Tiffany L Murdoch • Nov 2, 2021 at 8:40 am
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?” This article discusses the new decision made by Millikan High School staff, prohibiting juniors from having the option of a parking pass. While I understand that it is a senior “rite of passage” to have a parking pass, it can be an inconvenience for other grade levels to find parking. Granted, there is a surrounding neighborhood and a shopping center right by the school. I personally don’t drive to school but I think that some of the neighbors are probably sick of high school students always parked in front of their house. In the beginning of reading this article I didn’t understand why juniors were not offered the lottery for any open spots. But after reading this article, I agree with the choice that they have made. I think that it’s fair that the seniors get priority over those parking spots and it’s a good way to honor them for their last year at Millikan. I had a lot of questions about juniors not getting spots but I’m really glad that all my questions were answered. Thank you for helping me understand!
Kayla Webb • Nov 2, 2021 at 8:31 am
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should Parking Lots be Available to All Grade Levels?” This article brings to light why the parking lot is open to only seniors. Before reading this article, as a junior I was a bit confused why they would only allow parking spots to the seniors when some juniors are driving as well. I agree that seniors should have this because it is their last year, although what happens when there are open spaces, would those just remain empty for the rest of the year? In the past the seniors were given priority in the parking lot so why would they care if the leftover spots were given to people who you use them as well. For me, I have to get here around 7:15-7:20 in order to find a parking space in the residential areas. With a parking pass it could be easier but it is not impossible, for juniors or seniors that didn’t get a pass. Maybe leaving the conversation open with juniors and saying if there is any more parking, it could be an option because closing this off to juniors does not make sense. Despite that, seniors are in their last year and it makes complete sense to give them those parking spaces. Thank you for explaining and covering this topic to inform others and answer some questions on why they decided this.
Kira Nygaard • Nov 1, 2021 at 12:12 pm
In Issue 10/2020 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?”. The article mentions that presently, only seniors have the privileges of the parking passes whereas in past years, the opportunity has been extended to juniors as well. While I understand that it is a senior “rite of passage” to have a parking pass, it can be an inconvenience (although a minute one) for other grade levels to find parking. Granted, there are the shopping center parking lots and the surrounding neighborhoods, but for me at least, I feel bad parking in someone else’s neighborhood and I know if it was me, I’d get annoyed by a bunch of high school students taking my parking spot. Aside from the inconvenience, I think the parking lots are disproportionately small in regards to how many people have, or use, their parking passes compared to how many spots are available. In regards to how this disproportionate issue is resolved, I’m not quite sure because I don’t know how much of an issue it actually poses, however, I know for me, I would like to have a parking pass and not just hope for there to be a space available because if there consistently aren’t any spaces, what’s the use of the pass right?
Alexandra Talavera • Nov 1, 2021 at 12:12 pm
November 1, 2021
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?” In the article, it mentions that in the past, leftover spaces were given to juniors, but that that wasn’t the case for this year, as parking near campus would be a “rite of passage” for seniors. As a junior that does drive themselves to and from school, it is pretty difficult to find parking near campus, and walking really far to my car can be tiring as well. But, I do think that it’s fair that only seniors get parking privileges. More seniors drive than juniors, so I also think that because of that fact, seniors should still have first priority to the school parking lot. If the school parking lot was bigger, however, I would have agreed that all grade levels should be open to the parking pass lottery. But, since Millikan only has so much space, I understand the circumstances. I was really curious as to where the leftover parking spaces would go and if juniors would get a chance at the lottery, so I’m glad that my questions were not left unanswered. Thank you for clarifying!
Richard Brodsky • Nov 1, 2021 at 11:04 am
In Issue 1/2021 (published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot Be Available to All Grade Levels?” The article discusses the recent decision made by Millikan High school to prohibit juniors from being able to obtain school parking lot passes, and the debate surrounding it. Prior to the article, I never really knew why exactly parking passes were limited to only seniors this year. From my understanding, it seemed like the decision was made most likely for safety reasons. Juniors, due to their age, tend to usually be less experienced drivers than seniors. So I figured that the main reason juniors were left out of consideration for the parking pass lottery this year was to prevent possible parking & driving accidents as well as possible lawsuits against the school. However, it turns out that the main reason, as stated in the article, was because the school simply just wanted to pay respect to the senior class by granting them the exclusive ability to park in the lot. This was explained in the article with multiple different quotes from both Millikan staff and students I definitely appreciate the explanation, it cleared up a lot of questions that I had regarding the decision made by the school. There’s only one addition I would make to this article. Although there is a solid amount of references and quotes from students and staff, I noticed that they all share the same opinion. To give the article a sense of neutrality, and offer valid input from BOTH sides, perhaps you could include some quotes and references from students and staff who are against the junior parking ban? Other than that, this is a great article and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future!
Jacob Short • Nov 1, 2021 at 10:03 am
In Issue 1/2021(published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote the article titled “Should the Parking Lots Be Available to All Students?” This article brings the attention of the reader to the school’s parking lots and the distribution of the spots to Millikan students, specifically seniors. Before, I vaguely knew that juniors and seniors used to both share the parking lot in the past, but now I am well aware of the history. As a junior now, I disagree with the decision to give parking passes to only seniors this year, and I really favor the idea presented in the article of passes being given out by GPA. I feel this rewards the students, both juniors and seniors, and even would encourage them to get their grades up if having a parking spot or not was a big issue for them. It is a missed opportunity, on the side of faculty, to encourage students to learn instead of just giving away these valuable spots in a raffle. I hope this argument gains more traction and is implemented in the years to come, so that all grade levels have an equal opportunity to strive for the reward of having a parking lot.
Niya Patterson • Nov 1, 2021 at 8:47 am
In issue 1/2021 ( Published October 20, 2021), Charlie Hex wrote an article titled “Should the Parking Lot be Available to All Grade Levels?”This article is a good way of expressing the side on why it’s only seniors and what’s the cause, because of the staff’s thinking, seniors get to have a special treatment because it is their last years and should enjoy them with the most luxuries because they will no longer be here. If all gardes can have equality it will help people who have jobs get around faster, and since they have also completed the responsibility of their driving it would be nice if they could at least participate in the raffle for the extra parking spaces if seniors do not use them. If no seniors use all the spaces and no seniors want them will they just leave it open for seniors to park anytime they want? Or will they try/or think about giving them to juniors? Will this also be continuing throughout the future years and only be a privilege to seniors or are these seniors only getting this experience? Thank you for making this a little more understandable for underclassmen and helping shed light and give an answer to people who were wondering the reason why they could not even have the opportunity to park.
phoebe machan • Nov 1, 2021 at 8:45 am
In Issue 1, “Should the Parking Lot be Available to all Grade Levels?”, published October 20, 2021, Charlie Hex wrote an article discussing the parking situation at Millikan High School. The article discusses how the parking lots are only available for seniors with a parking pass which was available from winning a lottery. Before reading the article, I was a little confused and annoyed as to why Juniors were not offered the lottery or any of the leftover spots. I know that in previous years Juniors were able to score spots, which I was looking forward to. I have come to understand that getting a parking spot has become a senior privilege to honor their last year. After reading this article, I actually agree with the choice because I know I would like to have a spot senior year rather than my junior year. This new rule will give me a better chance at a spot inside the lots next year as well, but if not, the parking situation outside of the lots isn’t too bad. I get here at 7:15 – 7:20 everyday and there is almost always parking on the street. Thank you for covering this topic, and further expanding my knowledge of why juniors were not offered spots!
Vincent Flores • Oct 22, 2021 at 9:53 am
That was interesting I never knew much about the parking lot spots. I think the parking lot should go to juniors and seniors because during those times your able to work and drive, not just seniors.
Ryan Miller • Oct 22, 2021 at 9:52 am
Thank you for writing this article, it was very informational and was able to help me better understand the student parking situation.