Combining High Schools? No Thank You

Artwork by Parrish Pierce

Artwork by Parrish Pierce

Southfield-Lathrup High School and Southfield High combining is like the late rapper Tupac hopping on a verse of a Biggie Smalls song. It’s not meant to happen.
For years the schools have been rivals of one another, and now the future of that tradition is in question because of the proposal that the two combine in 2016.
The rivalry between our two schools is what keeps the Blue Jay spirit alive. If you ask any student at Southfield High which basketball game they’re looking most forward to, they will more than likely say Lathrup.
Not only is the continuation of our rivalry now in question, but people’s jobs are, too. With the two possibly combining, teachers and staff are likely to be laid off from their jobs. And we won’t need as many coaches, either. When you talk about people being laid off, not only are the employees affected, but their families are affected, too.
Then we have to take into consideration the transportation inconvenience for the people who attend Lathrup. If they live near Lathrup, they will likely have farther to drive or to bus to school.
Also when and if the two high schools combine, kids will have fewer opportunities to hold those positions that look so good on college applications. Right now, Southfield High’s senior class has 232 students. That means a senior has a one in 232 chance to be class president or NHS president or captain of anything. When that senior class swells to 400 or more, the chances dwindle. The same is true of making the roster of a sports team.
Understandably, the move would save money. Two can live more cheaply than one. Maybe Lathrup could bring over some programs Southfield High doesn’t have, such as dance and drama. That would be a plus.
But the bottom line is, Blue Jays were never meant to fly with Chargers. Lathrup is like the Android to our iPhones, the Joker to our Batman, the Wolverine to our Spartan!
That school on 12 Mile probably feels the same way. If the deal does go through, it should include two years of psychotherapy for all involved.
Ashley Guinn is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Southfield Jay.