For Better or For Worse

Photo Illustration Marjon Wolfe | VOX Staff

By Marjon Wolfe | VOX Staff

Aug. 28 was a day that no one in Clayton County will ever forget. Everyone was awaiting the verdict from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) regarding our county’s accreditation. Our school board had been under SACS’ watchful eye since late February for running our school system improperly.

While I was sitting in my fourth-period marketing class, a counselor walked in and hesitantly said," We lost it." At first, the thought of actually losing my school’s accreditation didn't bother me because I thought I was prepared for the worst, but I never really thought SACS would make the worst decision of all.

The news quickly spread across the school. Eventually teachers were instructed to turn off all televisions because the news began to distract the business of the school day.

When reality sank in, I stepped out of class and called my mommy. Once I began talking to her, I cried. My life was about to change, but for better or worse?

In the eyes of most people outside of Clayton County, we're probably not in good shape, but it's actually the complete opposite. This experience has made the class of 2009 stronger and more focused than ever.

Final Answer
Between February and August, county officials fed students these fairytale dreams that all of SACS’ On the afternoon of the verdict, I spoke with Jennifer Oliver, vice president of communications for SACS. My main concern dealt with how my friends and I would survive this tumultuous situation. Oliver told me that SACS had considered the students of Clayton County, but hoped the decision to revoke accreditation would put the county in the right direction. She also advised me that in applying for college, seniors should contact their schools of choice to determine if the colleges would still accept them.

It aggravated me that I had to reconsider my college choices and jump through extra hoops.

A Family Affair
At first, lots of students talked about leaving our school and our county, so they could attend an accredited school. My initial reaction was to go and live with my grandma so I could legally attend an Atlanta Public School. Half of me was devastated; I wanted to finish my senior year with all of my friends and teachers. On the other hand, I thought that staying might hinder my chances of becoming successful; so I decided to leave.

After our accreditation was revoked, my mother spent a week pulling all of my health and school records so I could change schools. Finally it hit me. I had to stay. I had worked so hard in my school and my community and built a reputation and numerous personal and professional relationships. I knew that leaving all that behind would not be good for my sanity. Leaving Riverdale would mean throwing away four years of blood, sweat and tears.
When I got home that Wednesday afternoon, I called my mommy and pled my case. We bumped heads. She was concerned about me receiving scholarship money.
"Marjon, I cannot afford [to pay] for you to go to college," she sobbed.
“Ma, I know this, but I shouldn’t have to leave MY school in order to go to college,” I replied.
I am not the richest person in the world, but I seriously doubted that not having accreditation would prevent me from receiving money for college.

As emotions began to flare, I hung up the phone and cried my eyes out. By the time my mom got home that evening, I had called and emailed all of the colleges that I wanted to apply to and researched and read the fine print on a lot of scholarships. I was relieved to find out that all of the schools would still accept me, and most scholarships only require students to pursue a degree at an accredited school, without necessarily coming from one.

Eventually my mom gave in and told me I could stay at Riverdale. I think my grandma had been excited about me living with her, but she understood why I made the decision. I was ecstatic; all of my senior plans could go on as planned.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel
My best friends were thrilled when they found out that my mom let me stay. Actually, a lot of seniors have not withdrawn from school; it has mainly been underclassmen. So far my senior class has only lost a few students.

In all honesty, this situation has actually brought us closer together. At football games we all cheer and have amazing school spirit, and almost every week we have some sort of senior outing. My class will forever have a close-knit bond because of the drama surrounding our last two years of high school. It’s made us more mature, and we appreciate one another’s genuine strength and endurance for riding out the storm. In any family situation, no one leaves a family member stranded, and that’s how we seniors look at the negative side of the accreditation issue.

Adults around us have also kept our spirits high. Our teachers have been great supporters. They constantly remind us that no matter what happens, we will still continue to conduct our school business. One thought that is constantly pounded into our heads is “take charge of your learning.”

In some way, we students see the whole loss of accreditation as possibly a good thing. Everything in life happens for a reason. Even though it may not make sense now, I have a feeling that every student in Clayton County will be better off for everything we’ve been put through.