REV WAY

By MIA DELMONICO, Features Editor

Vocal: to express feelings freely or loudly. This word is very simple to say, yet extremely difficult to carry out in  everyday life. This difficulty is felt even more so in a high school setting. This is because it is hard for teenagers to go against what everyone else is saying because it would make them stand out.

It is hard because sometimes speaking up for someone else who is being bullied or picked on can result in the same behavior happening to the person who tried their best to help. Trying to help victims and becoming one after is a haunting vision to the average student. Most are concerned about fitting in and what other people think. This complex chain of reactions is an essential principle in the REV WAY.

Despite these difficulties, being vocal also has several advantages. One of these is the effect of gratitude that could be felt by someone who speaks up. It could be as simple as complimenting someone or as advanced as intervening in an argument between a group of students. In addition, being vocal can involve speaking out in another way–bringing in an adult to assist in a situation. This can be portrayed through an action of telling an adult, such as a counselor, if there have been rumors of someone trying to hurt others or themselves. It is better to be safe than sorry and speaking out and maybe being an outcast for a week could potentially save a life.

Social status can easily change and should not be the reason keeping students from seeking help or trying to help others around them. Being vocal is important and more often than not can make a tremendous difference in campus life. Moreover, it is up to students to choose to make this impact positive or negative. This importance is not meant to inspire a disrespectful attempt at being vocal. When students try to help by speaking up they should consider their tone and delivery so that their bravery and courage is not mistaken for rudeness and disrespect. Also, it is advantageous to both parties to not accidently ignite further conflict in an attempt to diffuse the situation. This is why it is always smart to take into account how the problem is playing out and if it would be better to advise someone part of staff to keep the situation safe for both parties.

In addition to being cautious, being an advocate for oneself is a part of being vocal. Students should feel comfortable talking with teachers and staff if there is an issue or if something is on their minds. For example, a student can talk to a teacher about receiving help in a class or can talk to a counselor if they have questions regarding future academic plans or obstacles they are facing. Lastly, it is necessary to understand that being vocal is important for staff as well. They also follow the REV WAY standards and have shown to be enthusiastic with carrying out the principles through their everyday actions.

In the REV WAY this idea of vocalism is included in hopes of establishing a firm understanding of the principles set by staff. They hope that all students try their best to make the right choice and be positive in all the aspects of their lives. Both in and out of school, the ideal result would be an improved group of teenagers that are willing to sacrifice their spot in the social hierarchy for even the smallest possibility of bettering someone else’s life.