Upperclassmen; for years they have ruled over the kingdom of high school. They are the grizzled veterans, tried time and time again in the trials of homework and tests.

            “It’s awesome, you feel like it’s your last year to make an impact on the school and do your best.” Octavio Torres, Senior, said.

            However, some may even wonder what identifies one as an upperclassmen, an upperclassmen is a student who is either in their junior or senior year of high school. While freshmen and sophomores are regarded as underclassmen.

There are few material benefits of being an upperclassmen, two of which being the ability to attend prom, and having access to better seats during some pep rallies. However, the sentimental benefits are numerous. One of which is having the privilege of being part of the highest echelon of public education.

            “Teachers take you more seriously, you feel more like an adult, they trust you more.” Jenny Ortega, junior, said.

While a upperclassmen may lounge on the peak of adolescence, apprehension may creep in the recess of their minds. The forever present knowledge of imminent graduation spreads like a terminal pestilence as the beginning of the rest of their lives draws nearer and nearer.

“It’s awesome, you feel like it’s your last year to make an impact on the school and do your best.” Octavio Torres, Senior, said.

On the contrary, one may also experience elation as the prospect of freedom from the shackles of homework and exams becomes an imminent reality. And as the sum of 12 years of hard work is presented on graduation day, compressed into a seemingly simple, yet invaluable diploma, one may either feel liberated into the vast expanse of adulthood, or condemned into the uncharted labyrinth of the future.

“There are no joys of being an upperclassmen, the joy comes from graduating.” NJROTC Assistant Instructor Travis Putnam said.