Senior Skip Day: Rite of Passage?
Kennedy Dunning
Kennedy Dunning
Senior Skip Day has been a famous tradition for several decades in North American high schools.
Senior Skip Day, also called Ditch Day, is an American and Canadian tradition where the majority of the senior class does not go to school for one day. Typically, Skip Day follows a significant event such as prom or a big win after a game. The exact origin of the Skip Day tradition is unknown. It has been believed to have begun in the early 1970's from intense teenage rebellion against any form of authority in response to the events surrounding the Vietnam War. Additionally, after the 1986 movie classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off hit theaters in the United States, it became a drastic catalyst for pushing seniors to skip in the 80s and early 90s. The main character, Ferris Bueller, has an uncanny set of skills for skipping class and plans to put them to use one last time before graduation with an outrageous, elaborate plan.
The reactions to Senior Skip Day are definitely divided between two distinct sides: teachers and students. A school administration’s response to Senior Skip Day can vary. In certain schools, the teachers actually encourage the event. They may help students designate a schedule with fun events for the day without the issue of missing something important like a quiz or test. However, other schools punish their seniors for participating in the Skip Day. The punishment could range from the detention, zeros for missed assignments, or even suspension.
Here at Hillgrove High, the actions of teachers in regards to Skip Day were interesting. Kayla Johnson, a senior at Hillgrove, had a math quiz planned for the day seniors were supposed to skip. She was skeptical of the teachers planning it then since this past skip day was not a secret hidden from teachers. She decided to skip and “enjoyed a relaxing, fun day with friends,” comforted by the idea of making up the quiz in the following days.
Should this controversial traditional remain? Should it become more inclusive? Ariana Azikiwe, a freshman at Hillgrove, has divided views on the subject. She would love to have fun events like Skip Day for underclassmen but believes the tradition “deserves to be with seniors.” No matter where you stand, Senior Skip Day definitely has sentimental value as it has been a tradition for years. It also contributes to the excitement of finishing the last year of high school.
Senior Skip Day, also called Ditch Day, is an American and Canadian tradition where the majority of the senior class does not go to school for one day. Typically, Skip Day follows a significant event such as prom or a big win after a game. The exact origin of the Skip Day tradition is unknown. It has been believed to have begun in the early 1970's from intense teenage rebellion against any form of authority in response to the events surrounding the Vietnam War. Additionally, after the 1986 movie classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off hit theaters in the United States, it became a drastic catalyst for pushing seniors to skip in the 80s and early 90s. The main character, Ferris Bueller, has an uncanny set of skills for skipping class and plans to put them to use one last time before graduation with an outrageous, elaborate plan.
The reactions to Senior Skip Day are definitely divided between two distinct sides: teachers and students. A school administration’s response to Senior Skip Day can vary. In certain schools, the teachers actually encourage the event. They may help students designate a schedule with fun events for the day without the issue of missing something important like a quiz or test. However, other schools punish their seniors for participating in the Skip Day. The punishment could range from the detention, zeros for missed assignments, or even suspension.
Here at Hillgrove High, the actions of teachers in regards to Skip Day were interesting. Kayla Johnson, a senior at Hillgrove, had a math quiz planned for the day seniors were supposed to skip. She was skeptical of the teachers planning it then since this past skip day was not a secret hidden from teachers. She decided to skip and “enjoyed a relaxing, fun day with friends,” comforted by the idea of making up the quiz in the following days.
Should this controversial traditional remain? Should it become more inclusive? Ariana Azikiwe, a freshman at Hillgrove, has divided views on the subject. She would love to have fun events like Skip Day for underclassmen but believes the tradition “deserves to be with seniors.” No matter where you stand, Senior Skip Day definitely has sentimental value as it has been a tradition for years. It also contributes to the excitement of finishing the last year of high school.