Who created the myth that after the graduation hats go up, students are entitled to a week at the beach to drink, use drugs and have promiscuous sex? What’s even more amazing is that parents sign off on house rentals, and older siblings and friends enable this ridiculousness by buying alcohol for the underage graduates. Apparently, despite all the horror stories, no one has thought to put an end to this.
Friends of mine who are participating in Beach Week in the “traditional” way have justified their decision by saying that it’s a way to express the new freedoms that come with graduating and turning 18. Besides, partying goes on at college, and for the first time in many of their lives, they’re not leaving the preparation until the last minute. Others argue that it’s a chance to get everything out of their system before they go off to college, or a last chance to hang out with all of their high school friends before going separate ways.
Interestingly enough, I’ve never heard anyone say that they want to go because it’s a really fun thing to do. Maybe because the fun goes away when you’re in the hospital getting your injuries stitched up or having your stomach pumped so that you can live to drink another day.
The sad thing is what this says about our generation. Why, when we have this newfound freedom, do we choose to demonstrate that we really still need our parents looking over our shoulders to make sure we don’t kill ourselves? We flaunt the influence of our Jersey Shore-Paris Hilton-True Life culture as if it’s a positive thing to find this kind of behavior acceptable. Ironically, our parents have either decided that it’s acceptable as well, or that they’re so intent on being their kids’ friend that they are willing to let it go. If my child engaged in this kind of behavior, I wouldn’t pay for him or her to go to college because he or she would have demonstrated that after 18 years of education, he or she never got an ounce of common sense.
This is not to say that I am against drinking alcohol. I’ve traveled through Europe and China, where alcohol consumption is a part of the culture from a much younger age. Certainly some people abuse it and get drunk, but these people are mostly looked down upon. It shows immaturity and short sightedness, as if that is the last night they will ever be able to drink. Even worse, American teenagers are so intent on getting drunk that they don’t even bother to make good drinks with all of the vodkas, gins, rums and other liquors that they buy. Our beer thrones are made from cases of cheap, light beer that, despite what the advertising claims, still taste awful especially when compared to some of the really fine brews made in Germany, Belgium and England.
Unfortunately, the mentality that seniors deserve Beach Week is becoming more ingrained in our minds, which only shows how self-entitled and self-centered our culture has become. In actuality, it is only a small portion of the graduating seniors who engage in this disgusting tradition. Everyone else is working to pay for college, getting ahead in their career with a good internship or doing something productive with their money like traveling to a foreign country or saving up for a year abroad. Between the money spent on the house, food, alcohol and eventual repairs for possible damage and hospital bills, you could put a down payment on a car or pay the first month’s rent of an apartment. Remind me again why we decide to blow it all on a week we’ll be too inebriated to even remember?
Ndidi Obasi • Apr 25, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Liz,
Your article was very well written! I do not completely agree with every single thing you said in your article, but regardless, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and you did a wonderful job expressing it. I would really love to comment on some of the other above comments made by various people, but I think it would be best if I didn’t…
Keep up the good work!
Rachel Wilson • Apr 25, 2012 at 12:26 pm
As a general note, don’t use curse words in your comments as we (the A-blast web staff) are then required to take your comment down.
Anon • Apr 25, 2012 at 10:24 am
You people are stupid, the article isn’t going to prevent anyone from doing what they want to do during beach week. Go smoke, go drink, go try shrooms, go do ex nobody is stopping you- unless the police come and find you. This article was for a school subject, and all she was trying to do was to do a good job. Nobody should be here to judge, grow up!
Bob • Apr 24, 2012 at 9:46 pm
This chick needs a beer
tiny winker • Apr 24, 2012 at 9:21 pm
you seem fat mr beach week hater, dont worry there is light beer in the fridge for your kind. problem solved see you in myrtle
AntiLiz • Apr 24, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Liz you ruined my summer thanks. I can’t go to beach week anymore thanks to this disgrace of an article.
alumni • Apr 24, 2012 at 8:53 pm
this does not pertain to Liz’s article but purely the “statistical information” used to back her article up.
-The poll is from 1996, 16 YEARS AGO!
– People drank alcohol and few smoked weed. but as someone who went to AHS beach week 2011, there was no LSD nor Cocaine AT ALL, IN ANY OF THE HOUSES.
-..and whoever you “interviewed” in the articles, I’m pretty sure you made it up because I and everyone else knows what happened. yes, there was drama, yes people were intoxicated 99% of the time, but it was never as extreme as what Liz mentions.
-and if you did interview someone who said all of those things, they lied. and that is on the ablast for using false information
senior • Apr 24, 2012 at 8:16 pm
when i go to college… I’ll take shots for you and get 10x as drunk.. how do you like them apples LIZZZZZ
Pria Garam • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:51 pm
The biggest issue with this opinionated article was how unfairly biased it was… If any parent that reads the A-Blast was hesitant about letting their kid go to Beach Week, or if any student was hesitant themselves, this piece just convinced them that BW is a terrible thing. BW is bad, BW is evil, it’s not BW if you don’t end up in the hospital because everyone that goes to BW is a reckless alcoholic. The A-Blast’s job is to inform, not to exaggerate and scare off. You’ve abused your publishing privileges by poisoning and overdrawing a vacation that students set out to enjoy… Not commit suicide. By doing so you have potentially spoiled many seniors’ summers based on untrue allegations that many will be gullible enough to believe just like you have been. Look closer, the article is reliant upon hypothetical situations, second-hand statements, and assumed facts. This is nothing but the spread of gossip and rumors with little to no truth to back it up.
Rachel Wilson • Apr 24, 2012 at 8:44 pm
I invite you to read the article directly below this one on the In-depth page that has an article supporting beach week, where kids work with their parents, still go to beach week and have a great time. This story was not the only one written.
Pria Garam • Apr 24, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Checked it out. It was basically just a follow up to this piece and did not provide an alternative assessment of BW whatsoever. Thanks though.
Cory brooks • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:49 pm
OKAY guys…it’s me saying all these horrible things
TheBratPack • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:41 pm
This is blasphemy. The brat pack will get as sloppy drunk as we please. #BEACHWEEK
Heywood Jiblowme • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:36 pm
This is inappropriate.
abe lincoln • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:18 pm
BOOM roasted. Great comments everyone.
student • Apr 24, 2012 at 6:41 pm
i think the real question is why does everyone care so much about this …
Hiba Abuelhawa • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:43 pm
You’re a square for life if you don’t go to beach week. END OF STORY!
Reader • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:37 pm
The entire AHS community should be thankful for the stories on the subject of Beach Week. This publication was a form of public service. Additionally:
1. Public discourse on any topic is good. Comments from all sides of the issue (that don’t personally attack the writers) help shape our understanding.
2. The 2-page spread was well balanced, representing all viewpoints.
3. Many parents are unaware of the extremes that happen at beach week.
4. LIke it or not, binge drinking is dangerous. Teenagers and young adults–who think they can handle it–die from it every day.
hawaiianSHirt • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:26 pm
@Narty i loved the haiku.
we need more of that stuff
Tricia • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Thank you all for your feedback, the point of editorials is to state and opinion and hopefully to open dialogue with readers. However, while you are entitled to an opinion and we love to hear them, directing criticisms towards the author is not an effective way to communicate any kind of frustration or disagreements you may have. This editorial was based off of the accounts she heard while I was gathering information for my own story, which did not exactly shed a positive light on the tradition. This editorial in conjunction with the story about opening dialogue as a parent, calls for seniors attending to take responsibility and be honest with themselves and their parents. As I said, we appreciate feedback, but ask that it be appropriate for our audiences and respectful to the opinions of every individual.
Rie • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm
What is with everyone? It’s not like anyone is saying NOT to participate in beach week! Just be safe about it! Jeez…
Delwyn Molina • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:53 pm
This article is horrible. Write from other perspectives not just from the bad ones “Liz”
Rachel • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I would like to point out that it’s an editorial, and therefore she has no obligation to write from multiple perspectives and that there is a second article also written by Liz that talks about students who’ve chatted with their parents about Beach Week plans and still go and have a great time. A.K.A. she didn’t write about “just the bad ones.”
student • Apr 25, 2012 at 8:07 am
@Delwyn. Are you really a senior?? You must be part of the “No Child Left Behind” program.
Maybe you stay around another year to learn what an editorial…
Editorial is to an opinion as Delwyn is to a buffoon.
Btw: You are the epitome of the editorial…
Mona Lisa • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:41 pm
That was probably the worst article I’ve ever read. If you want to cry about those going to beach week, do it in the comfort of your friends. If you want to publish an article like this, publish from all perspectives: The kids who do these things, the people who go to enjoy the comfort of the beach friends and party scene and those who are able to drink a sustainable amount. And to the ABlast, it’s great you’re defending your staff but really we already understand you like the article… Let other people comment, state their opinion and you can PUBLISH yours because that’s all you do anyway.
Kara • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Please have some respect. If you disliked the article so much, why don’t you write your own opinion article about it and I’m sure the paper would be more than willing to publish it? And not everyone on staff likes the editorial, but we do have respect for it, because it is an OPINION, therefore someone’s perspective and if you had the respect to not bash the writer or the paper it would be understandable. But The A-Blast works hard to inform readers with stories that also question things, so don’t say it’s “all you do”, for the paper works hard. You wouldn’t know half the things that going on in the AHS community if it weren’t for the paper and the hardworking staff on it. And the paper is very open to letting you comment, for opinions are important to share. But do it respectfully.
Mona Lisa • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:21 pm
So basically this article was written to instigate negative feedback. It is all they do though, and yes it is an opinion so why not post others with it? It’s not like the world wants to hear what ONE person thinks about beach week or ONE view towards beach week. And please, do not assume that I do not know what is going on in the community or the school because I am VERY involved. This was my opinion. I’m being respectful, I did not curse or say anything innapropriate. Only my opinion.
AntiMonaLisa • Apr 25, 2012 at 9:54 am
Why don’t you join the paper or the army or something and do something productive with your life? Get off the internet and be the change you wanna see in the world. Yeah, that’s right, I quoted Ghandi. Either suck it up, “Mona Lisa”, or write your own editorial. No one should be going against one of the best high school newspapers in the country!
Gwen Levey • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I agree with Nasiha. This article is an editorial, therefore an opinion piece, and everyone (whether you may agree with it or not) is entitled to their own opinions. No one is saying you can’t express them by commenting about them here. But we are expected to be mature in the way we express them, correct? And if you have an opinion, be proud of it, and don’t hide behind a fake name. No one is judging here. The A-Blast is an open publication to thoughts, ideas, and opinions, and no one on staff will disrespect you by posting a nasty hate comment.
As for me, I do wish to express the thought that beach week does not have to include the “normalities” that might come with it. No one is saying that anyone who does rent a house or participates in the event is only doing it to get drunk, or sleep with someone, or end up in the hospital. I think the editorial is more directed towards how to enjoy beach week safely, while still having a load of fun, and how renting a house with a bunch of people does not have to entitle anyone to be forced or wish to freely break the law. I don’t think the article is accusing all teenagers that do participate in beach week of doing reckless things, but just those who feel it’s okay, whether someone may agree with it or not. It is hard enough to be a teenager without all of the added stresses that may cause us to grow up too quickly – these are years that we can never get back, after all, so why not enjoy them while you can?
But I think everyone can agree that all we wish for is for everyone to be safe with the time we have and that making good choices with such freedoms honestly comes down to the individual – not a parent or a friend. We are practically adults, after all, so I hope everyone – even though me or anyone else can’t stop what may go on – will make those good decisions in the long run. What you feel is a good decision, however, is really up to you; just be honest with yourself when it comes down to making the choices that can end up affecting you (either in a good way or bad) for the rest of your life.
Abby • Apr 24, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Liz, I LOVE this. If you’re gonna have fun, do it in style. So true.
Nasiha • Apr 24, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Narty What a lovely haiku. However, it doesn’t help whatever argument or statement you’re trying to make. Stop acting like a child.
Liz I commend you for expressing your opinion on this controversial topic. It’s sad to see people slandering you and your views. It’s a shame that they don’t understand what an editorial is. Nevertheless, the staff stands behind you and your editorial!
student • Apr 24, 2012 at 3:56 pm
what is the point of this comment box, if you don’t want your readers to express their views on articles? Yes, people should not slander Liz, for it is a written piece on what she believes, but we are allowed to have our opinion of her article as well.
John Doe • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Exactly. We are just as entitled to our irrational opinions as she is.
Nasiha • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:07 pm
At least attempt to write a coherent opinion.
Open dialogue is a wonderful thing and I support it fully, I’m just asking for a well thought out rebuttal from those that oppose the opinions expressed in Liz’s article.
student • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:21 pm
well Pria Garam brought up a coherently opinionated rebuttal that wasnt even addressed… but its ok keep fighting on against the haikus
Narty DeeNa • Apr 24, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Here is a haiku that I have just composed shortly after reading this article
What lies here is hate,
not everyone ends up dead,
my Cats are crying.
I would appreciate it if it were not to be deleted.
El Matador • Apr 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm
If I were a publisher, this poem would be published. Pure genius.
Reader • Apr 24, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Good job Elizabeth this is very well written. Whether or not people agree with you is not your problem, the staff is proud of you for sticking to your guns. I’m behind you 100% of the way because although I may not make 100% good choices every moment, I am consciously aware and cn acknowledge when somebody is right.
student • Apr 24, 2012 at 2:54 pm
is this “factual reason” you are talking about really all that relevant since the polls were from 1996? no.
Hilla • Apr 24, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Liz,
I completely agree. Our generation has perverted Beach Week so much that it has completely deviated from its original purpose. Beach Week is not supposed to be a time for you to spend mommy and daddy’s money to buy an overpriced beach house where you can drink your way to the hospital. It’s supposed to be a time for you to reward yourself by getting away from the stress that comes with school life and doing recreational activities- hang gliding, surfing, swimming, the list goes on.
What disgusts me the most is the amount of parental involvement (or lack thereof) that goes on with Beach Week. It seems like the parents are either completely oblivious to what their kids are going to be doing or they are agents to the shameful activities.
To put it quite bluntly, most participants of Beach Week lack originality and imagination. That they can’t find a fun and restful alternative to a week of drunken haze shows just how little ingenuity remains in our generation. More so, If you chose not to participate in such activities, you’re deemed a ‘prude.’ If having standards and respecting yourself is being a prude, then I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that label.
@Pria: If you find it bothersome that this editorial doesn’t contain factual reasoning, check out the piece that the A-Blast did in the print version of the newspaper. It not only contains facts and figures but statements from former participants.
Pria Garam • Apr 24, 2012 at 2:21 pm
There’s a time old saying that goes something like “don’t knock it until you try it”. Having no first hand experience in such a sacred post-senior year event, why must you state your unwarranted opinion, clearly lacking any credibility? Although I should honor your right to free speech… This editorial is closer to an emotional rant, and it is almost obvious that you are afraid.
Afraid of what..? Of what you don’t know. Afraid of what your parents have so convincingly told you would happen if you were to ever partake in such festivities. They must have also warned you about “kids like us”. Afraid of what Project X fictionally depicted in an exaggerated film, afraid of statistics displayed by cops, the media, etc. There could be some truth behind what you’re boasting… but you’ve left it all up to the he-say she-say.
Even as a regular student, and not a member of the A-Blast team, I know that any good journalist would seek actual factual reasoning to back up their argument. You chose not to, and instead left it up to propaganda you’ve been force fed by your overprotective parents and the school administration and any other poor soul like yourself that has any deep seated resentment for not even going in the first place.
The fact that you blindly trashed and slandered this tradition is why we’re upset. The fact that you categorize one simple week of unsupervised fun as a drunken riot is why we’re upset. The fact that you clearly have no idea of what exactly goes on during Beach Week, but still decided to run your mouth and talk down upon a good time, is why we’re upset.
What’s “disgusting” is your closed-mindedness and inability to relate with people that can actually have fun without ending up in the hospital or jail. Either way, you literally know absolutely nothing of the matter.
Anyway, while you’re alone at home, foaming at the mouth at the thought of a group of perfectly mature and responsible young adults at the beach this summer, I’ll be having the time of my life.
Student • Apr 24, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Amen. Completely agree!
Rachel • Apr 24, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Instead of bashing Liz’s upbringing which you know nothing about, or declaring that she’s afraid when that too is just a guess, stick to arguments about why not all Beach Weeks are like what is described in the article or simply why you disagree with the article. You want her to stick to facts but you make more assumptions than she does, especially since her information is based on first hand accounts. This editorial does not declare that all Beach Weeks are an excuse to do drugs, alcohol and have sex, it says that at many Beach Weeks this occurs to the extreme or to the point that people get hurt. It essentially argues against getting yourself seriously injured and I honestly don’t see how that’s a bad thing. Go and have fun at Beach Week, have an amazing time, take some risks if that’s what you want to do, no one’s judging. The point is not to make it so crazy that people get hurt.
Carolina C • Apr 24, 2012 at 2:10 pm
if you post an OPINION about beach week just maybe it would be nice to post more than just ONE opinion? right? some kids have morals,and some are raised to make good choices not ALL are into drugs & alcohol. SMH
abe lincoln • Apr 24, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Whatevs. I didn’t even state my opinion.
abe lincoln • Apr 24, 2012 at 1:51 pm
As if this article is gonna prevent anyone from going to beach week…