Writer Anne Wilson Schaef once said, "Differences challenge assumptions," meaning it is best to find a new understanding within an experience opposed to making assumptions. Over the course of the 2015–2016 school year, Penns Grove High School, located in Carneys Point, N.J., has been in the press for events that are not deemed to be positive.
News sites like "NJ.com True Jersey" often posts in the media about the negative events that have occurred. Yes, fights have broken out. Yes, the media needs something to keep the viewers engaged, but mainly releasing articles like the ones in the photo below tend to bind the entire school to negative connotations and gives people the wrong impressions while placing a stigma on students who attend. Before forming an invalid argument about the students or the school itself, it is important to try and find a new understanding and to realize that great things are also happening within PGHS.
Being a graduate from Penns Grove High, I know what it is like waking up every day roaming the halls and seeing many of the same faces. However, after being away for approximately three years, I know things drastically changed among the staff and its disciplinary actions. There are more restrictions.
Exit procedures have been implemented. Students can't leave class within the first and last 10 minutes. These rules may have enforced emotional and physical tension among the students. Some of the students there now are the same students I once sat with in the cafeteria. The students involved in fights or acting up in class are not bad. They are not dumb. They need guidance.
Staff members and faculty have been great at helping students to continue to do their best to let the them know they are there for them in any situation, whether that be an issue at home, in extracurricular activities or school.
Of course, be a teacher, principal, etc. first, but it is fine to be a mentor too and a friend when need be. Salem County community members who share the events and wonderful things students are doing on the PGHS Facebook page are doing just that — encouraging the students, highlighting the excellence and reminding the PGHS community to unite while showing support when bad things do happen!
Unfortunately, there are not enough articles in South Jersey highlighting the good things that are happening throughout Penns Grove High School. What about the kids who are shining in school, involved in extracurricular activities and more? Students Anaiah Walker and Amanda Newmuis are prime examples of outstanding students looking for a better future!
Anaiah Walker, a senior at PGHS, is involved with many extracurricular activities. She is a member of the National Honors Society, Gifted and Talented Group, SAC for School Base Youth Services, Student Congress and the Peer Leadership Group. She also runs the concession stands during football and basketball season. Although she is heavily involved with school, Anaiah's grades are never on a decline. She has remained on the honor roll all four years of high school, receiving wonderful grades of As and Bs. Her next goal is to attend Salem Community College through the NJSTARS Program while pursuing a career in nursing.
Amanda Newmuis, also a senior at PGHS, receives great grades of As and Bs and is involved in the National Honors Society, Peer Leadership Group, Gifted and Talented Group and SAC for School Base Youth Services. She is a part of the Red Devil Players Drama Club and runs the concession stands during basketball season as well! As she continues her four-year streak of being on the honor roll, Amanda plans to also attend Salem Community College through the NJSTARS Program pursuing a career in criminal justice.
These young women are just two of the many students excelling and doing great things in school. The youth are valuable assets to our futures so we should highlight them. Remember if you are a not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. When you see articles focusing on the negative events of Penns Grove High School or Salem County students in general, remember to continue forming a new understanding, come together and guide.
