There have always been senior privileges here at South Kent School.

Senior privileges in recent years have ranged from being able to walk on the grass to wearing shorts. Underformers question whether wearing shorts should be a senior privilege or one for the entire school.

“If the seniors want a privilege, they should have something more important,” said Fourth Former Dean Carson. “Shorts and jackets not being worn isn’t one of them.”

“We should all have equal rights in the dress code. We should be comfortable in the environment that we live in,” stated Jose Rosa, another Fourth Former.

“Shorts should be worn by everyone, not everyone should have to suffer,” said Kyle Hedman, a Fourth Former.

Headmaster Andrew Vadnais bowed to the warm weather this week, when he altered the dress code temporarily allowing underformers to remove their jackets and wear short sleeve shirts. However, on Monday the jackets will go back on.

Some of the older students understand the importance of preserving the tradition of senior privileges.

“It has been a tradition, my four years being here, there has always been tradition,” said Prefect JJ Ortiz. “When I was a freshman, we weren’t allowed to walk on the grass. It was a senior privilege, and so is wearing shorts.”

“I believe in tradition, it makes things work,” said Fifth Former Fitz Robertson.

Headmaster Vadnais believes it is healthy for the South Kent community to have special rights for seniors.

“I like communities that have rites of passage. All successful communities, like the Amish, have visible signs of seniority. This is one of those,” he said.

Some of the seniors may lose the privilege of staying cool this spring. Multiple class cuts will force some individuals back into jackets and long pants. This will only be for the individuals, and not the entire Sixth Form.