As a public school, Campo accepts every student in the district. With funding from the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) and the government, our school is able to provide all the services it does for all the students that attend. However, Moraga being a wealthier town causes people to assume that all the residents can afford to live the same lifestyle which is untrue. We are filled with a diverse population including a wealth division. While it may not be an obvious divide, there are subtle yet significant disparities, even within Campo.
To be included in the social aspect of the school, students need to be able to pay for activities. Senior Clara Rhame said “it’s hard because there are a lot of things that [the school] does, like prom or even just football games where you have to pay 20 dollars just to enter.” Some people are not able to make expenses like that and thus excludes them from activities affiliated with the school. Senior Selina Fang agreed, saying “a bunch of little activities add up and it’s hard to be a part of all of them. Some people have to work to help pay for college so it’s difficult to have the time and money.”
Expecting that everyone can participate in certain activities or even trends is deeply out of touch. Because trends move quickly, oftentimes, people who don’t buy-in in time become “obsolete” to others.
Clothing trends especially are hard to keep up with.“Trends happen and die really fast and so if you’re someone with not a lot of money, you might not be able to participate in all of them. So I think to be cool, you need to have money,” said Rhame. There is often a financial barrier for these types of trends, as clothing and other accessories are expensive.
Additionally, school sports often serve as beacons of diversity, allowing students from all backgrounds to join. However, there’s a lot of pressure to donate to allow the sport to operate. Senior Curtis Smith-Wilde touched on this, “I know Track and Field has a very large recommended donation and we have to buy expensive equipment which there’s no financial help with, at least that is advertised.”
Participating in sports is often a way for students to afford college, as some people get offers to go to school for their particular athletic ability. However, these costs might deter students from wanting to be a part of a sports team even though it is largely beneficial for social development in adolescents.
And while admin helps in offering financial aid for some activities, there are some things that Campo can’t help out with. As seniors are deciding their post-high school plans, most are extending their education and pursuing college. As tuition is a major factor that many have to consider, it shouldn’t be a problem that students choose the cheaper option. However, in Moraga, and the larger Lamorinda area, there is a pressure to go to the best colleges even if they’re most expensive.
Smith-Wilde explained how he has had to deal with this decision, “college costs a lot, and it’s an extremely limiting factor in where I can go. I got into a couple colleges that I’m just not going to be able to attend because they didn’t offer me financial aid.” Smith-Wilde goes on to talk about the judgement that comes when attending community colleges: “It’s pretty looked down upon in our community because [Campo] is such a prestigious institution.” Students feel pressured to attend a reputable university after Campo, but that is not in the cards for everyone, which is not something that students should feel judgement for.
To get into these respected colleges, students need to excel in academics which often implies tutors for specific subjects or the SATs. Senior Clea Lee said “wealthier families are able to afford tutors and have private help for their kids, which is not very fair and it should be addressed.” Rhame touches on this by adding “if you don’t have your own personal tutor, you’re not as successful as all these other people. And I think it sets the expectations higher, because a lot of people are getting personal help.”
Because some students have to work to help pay for their college tuition or to simply help out with their family, their time is limited with what they can do. It is simply unfair to assume that everyone has the same opportunities – even while we are blinded by the lines of Tesla cars that seem to teem Moraga roads.
The social aspect of high school is crucial to developing and when students are excluded from activities solely because of their wealth, it is detrimental to their maturation. Money may not buy happiness, but it undoubtedly makes things a whole lot easier.
