the vast differences between schools, one ferry away

Richie Hinojos, Reporter

Opinion

Photo provided by Richie Hinojos.

Whidbey Island, Mukilteo's neighbor due West, has smaller, relaxed school communities. After fourteen years attending Whidbey schools, Mukilteo was quite the culture shock.

On Whidbey, I would see the same people daily. At Kamiak, our population is comparable to a Rubix Cube; there are new combinations of people every day. When I first moved, I was eager to learn more about my environment and Mukilteo’s atmosphere. I wondered how students from different districts would respond to questions about their community. Thus, I conducted interviews with one student from South Whidbey and another from Kamiak.

Parsell: “My name is Waylan Parsell and I am a junior at South Whidbey High School.”

Yow: “I’m Rin Yow, a senior at Kamiak High School.”

How long have you gone to school in this district?

Parsell: “I have gone to [South Whidbey] school district for about six years now, ever since the start of 6th grade.”

Yow: “Two-ish years. One online and this past month in person, yet [I’m] fully immersed with the school.”

How easy is it to get to school? Would you say most people take the bus? Or do you think most people walk/get rides?

Parsell: “Getting to school can be fairly easy in this district. There are many buses that take most of the students. Those who don’t take the bus either drive themselves or live within walking distance.”

When I lived in Whidbey, I remember the high school transport being far more inconvenient for students in the suburbs. However, Parsell’s positive outlook on South Whidbey’s bus system was a pleasant surprise.

Yow: “I drive, but the thing with this school is that it isn’t very inclusive. I mean if you live in Picnic Point it's easy to be friends with everyone. But, if you're living farther out and not in that two-mile radius, you're kinda screwed when it comes to high school hang-out stuff. I’ve lived in both [areas], and it's a lot easier to be a full student when you live [nearby].”

Yow’s statement was especially interesting, as it deeply contrasted with my life on Whidbey. My bus ride home was almost 45 minutes every day, so two miles does not seem far.

Do you find it easier or harder to be in a smaller/larger school? What are some advantages or disadvantages?

Yow: “It's very much more freeing [to be in a larger school] because you're not restricted to the opinion of your immediate peers. There are lots of subgroups from all different areas you can be immersed with.”

Parsell: “Personally, I find it easier to be in a smaller school because it’s much easier to get to know everyone, students and staff. However, having a smaller school also results in not as many different classes, limiting students' choices of what they want to learn more about.”

Both interviewees responded with contrasting opinions, which shows how different personalities enjoy different environments.

What do you find unique about this school district that suits you personally?

Both students’ refreshing statements reflected on the unique strong suits their schools have to offer.

Parsell: “Something I find unique about this school district is that although it is a small district, it still offers so many education options compared to other small schools.”

Yow: “Literally it's so fun to do the [school] spirit stuff, and I am in a bunch of clubs. And, it is so cool that I make new friends every day. It's just so overall swag [that] I am here from six AM to at least six PM every day. There is so much to do; it’s wonderful!”

At the end of the day, South Whidbey High School and Kamiak High School are different in many ways. I appreciate both interviewees for their informative responses about their school’s community and impact. The dramatically different population rates of a 4A high school and an island school with limited residents clearly affect one's experience. However, both schools offer unique opportunities to their students.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.