The first bell rings on a splendid Monday morning, signaling you to start making your way to first period. You show up to class as early as you can and take your seat eagerly ready to learn. Unfortunately, not everyone in your class is as attentive as you are and continue to rudely conversate with their neighbor in the corner of the room or walk around class out their seat while the teacher is in the middle of a lesson. The sad thing is that I’m not exaggerating.

Respect literally means ‘willingness to show consideration or appreciation for something or someone. How many people can honestly say that they fulfill this definition in school? According to the behavior of students in class, the conversations we hold with friends and the daily actions we take throughout the day, Arroyo has plenty of room to improve.

It is not totally uncommon for someone to talk back to the teacher because of their resistance to do something; or, the ever popular, talking while the teacher is talking. It’s not like it’s hard to keep quiet while someone else is talking, it just that at that moment, people think that there is something more important.

One example of disrespect would be this year’s Senior Prank. Every year, seniors get together and devise a plan to vandalize the school in some way. Most of the time it’s inoffensive, but if anyone showed up at seven in the morning to view the spectacle of spray paint, toilet paper and graffiti, they’d agree that it was everything but harmless. The walls and hallways were covered in writing and toilet paper hung from trees freely while awaiting the janitor’s removal. Even a mention to our deceased alumni Jackie Lam was donned on campus for all the world to see. Touching a subject like that in a manner like this is inexcusable.

How is this in any way respectful? The type of legacy that the Class of 2009 has chosen to be remembered by is one of insolence. Not only our senior class is at fault of showing acts of disrespect though, which makes this matter that much more pressing.

In spite of all these dismal actions, there is hope to change our ways my fellow knights. It all ties into one of the simplest of rules…’Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. It’s that easy, and it’s not like this is new either. How would you like to be treated? ((The answer is respectfully!J))Do you treat people that way? Are showing respect by showing up on time, doing your homework and participating in class? Aspects like these tie into our ability to succeed as well, which is what we all strive for.

Whatever you’ve heard and whatever else you think, we come to school for one reason; to learn something new so that we can better ourselves for the future. This is very difficult to achieve when other priorities get in the way and we loose sight of what our purpose is for the 8 hours we spend in school. Of course, there is a time for fun and conversation, while there is another for work and concentration. Respect is an attitude, a way to view life. A mentality other than one of respect is one that needs immediate fixing.