Gum wrappers, Snack bags, Stray paper. Trash is the melting pot in the English Commons that is boiling over. The administration is now considering new methods to try to reduce litter in the English commons, such as scheduled intervals where advisories will clean up the space. The administration has also expressed its discontent with the number of people frequenting the English Commons and believes that there is a need to change how the class of 2028 treats their space. There is a divergence of opinions regarding this issue. Some believe that there is an epidemic of trash. others think that there is no issue in the first place, and are unhappy with the restrictions imposed by the administration over a trash outbreak they don’t believe to be true.

Sam Worral, a student in the class of 2028 who frequents the English Commons often to “chill” and “pick up snack,” said, “Sometimes I do see a lot of trash just out on the floor… there’s usually some trash somewhere, and I think it’s kind of a big deal.”

He thinks the trash is an issue but also believes that the class of 2028 can help.

“I think it’s kind of a big deal because we want to keep that space clean so we can keep using it. We have gotten a few warnings from Dean Tepp about the trash…I think something we can do is, before we pick up our backpacks and leave, look around the commons. Notice if there are any wrappers or chip bags anywhere that we can pick up.”

Worral believes that all together the students who hang out there can help clean up the space.

Nolan Rosenberger is a student in the class of 2028. He believes that the trash in the English Commons is not an issue.

“I don’t really see trash too much,” he said, “besides one case of pencil shavings that were cleaned up quite quickly.”

Nolan believes that the trash is not an issue at all, and he believes that the SPA administration possibly saw some trash around when he was not at the English Commons.

“I believe that she [Dean Tepp] probably went when there was trash when I wasn’t there, or she saw some trash that I didn’t see.”

He also thinks that instead of punishing the grade as a collective, the administration should only take snacks away from the people at the root of the issue. He believes that it is unfair that he is punished when he is using the snack system as intended.

“I think that, instead of taking it away for everybody, you should just, maybe try to take it away from the people who are not using it properly, and taking too many.”

Many more students have varying opinions about the issue and stand with one side or the other. The administration has already shown that they believe the trash is an issue and want to try and impose new solutions to help the problem. Hopefully, over time all the kinks in the system will be ironed out as most students don’t like the policies currently in place. The future of our space is also up to the 9th-grade students. Their grade will need to work as a collective to help clean up the trash in the English commons. With help, in due course, everyone will be able to enjoy a trash-free future in the 9th grade commons.