Methuen High School - Memories Yearbook (Methuen, MA)

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Exam . . . ining For most kids, SAT means shock and terror , but actually the letters stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test We all recall our first experience with tto sf Sn we tere forced to roll out of bed at an ungodly hour on a Saturday morning. We had to Co throuih a long process of filling out our name, address, school, etc. The best part was colortna in the dots with a number S pencil. These tests went on for 3 hours. Each student waited in anticipation for the 5 minute break after each hour so that he or she could stand and stretch his legs. There was a sigh of relief when the tests were finally over Then the lone waiting period began. We worried whether our grades were good enough because thev were already being sent to the colleges of our choice. Another grueling time for us students was when the mid-term exams crept ud Some spent hours studying in preparation for the 90 minute tests. These took 4 days They were very important for seniors who were trying to get into colleges. Their entire futures were dependent on the results from these four days. This was not the end of their testing days. College-bound graduates unwittingly set themselves up for more tests, number two pencils, name grids, and early hours as they go on to achieve better education from the higher institutions of America. A student ' s work is never done, or to quote from another source, There ' s no rest for the wicked . P.B.

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Proposition 2 Vz In an attempt to lower taxes, town and city officials across the state were forced to Implement Proposition Z l z. The basis of this policy was to cut municipal services which in turn would cut government spending and taxes. With high hopes, the taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed this plan. Unfortunately, every proposal has Its drawbacks. Along with l imiting public services, Proposition ZVz greatly reduced school budgets. Crowded classrooms, permanently closed schools, lost Jobs, scarce supplies, and reductions in courses and extra-curricular activities are some of the ill-effects of the budget cuts today. Although many people have experienced setbacks from Prop. 2- z, students are the true sufferers. Government officials and voters looked to the possible future financial benefits of 2 ' 2, but failed to see its disadvan- tages to the future adults of America. Growing up today is difficult, but without proper aid and education, most kids don ' t have a fighting chance. If we invest money to our children now, we will surely profit from it to the future, for they will make a richer and better America. We mustn ' t always be concerned with the present, but must look ahead to the approaching years. It is necessary, therefore, that the political leaders of Massachusetts re-evaluate this policy so that it will no longer disrupt our academic systems. S.D.

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Spirit