The Troy High Dream

Everyone warned us that Junior year was the worst of them all. The countless AP classes, maintaining that perfect 4.0 or higher, acing the ACT/SAT, being on the board of one of your many clubs, varsity sports, community service, all while balancing a decent social life. Oh, and don't forget being especially good in class this year so you can receive that outstanding rec letter we all so desperately want. In an ideal world we would all be achieving this Troy High Dream. But in reality, we just can't. I hate to break it to you, but only a small percentage of students are going to live up to the, oh so glorified, Troy High Dream. And what does it mean if you are not included in that small percent? Well, you're a failure. 

Now that last sentence may seem ridiculous to most of you, but in reality it's what MANY students at Troy High think if they aren't accomplishing all the things the Troy High Dream entails. As my math teacher put it, "it's not normal to be achieving all these things!" And I totally agree. How can one person, a teenager mind you, balance all these expectations? The bar is set extremely high at Troy High, which also means that the pressure to due well is insane. It almost feels as though our job title is 'Full Time Student'. No where in that title does it say 'Kid'. As adolescents, our teen years are suppose to be spent making memories, being goofy with our friends, trying new things, falling in love, making mistakes, finding new dreams, and just living our lives. In the midst of all of Troy High's expectations, it's hard to remember that we are just kids. 

It's important to realize that the Troy High Dream is merely a dream. Something we may strive for but never quite obtain. "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one fine morning" (Fitzgerald, 180) we will all realize how absurd the expectations of the Troy High Dream really are.