As students approach senior year there is more and more anticipation around leaving their hometown, traveling anywhere from 20 miles away to another continent. Motivation for this departure may come from the possibility of earning more money in other cities, as well as a desire to socialize with a larger pool of people.
“Many young people in rural communities now see college … as a ticket out of Nowheresville,” Kevin Mahnken wrote in The74, a nonprofit news organization covering America’s education system.
But while students are so consumed with what comes after high school, they forget to enjoy the beauty of their childhood bubble before it pops. Racing through the high school years prevents students from really living them, and seeing all of the magical moments of life.
I am part of the 48% of the OPHS student body that lives in Oak Park as of the 2024-2025 school year, and since moving here in 2019, the city continues to amaze me with its duality. Each person within its boundaries is deeply interconnected, to the community and its members, yet still manages to have an adventurous, exciting life. While I’m not able to see and appreciate every inch of this city, I can certainly try to during the time I spend here.
I implore you to take a step back and really look at the beautiful place we live in, because we are so incredibly lucky to find ourselves in this corner of the world.
