June is graduation time.
It’s the month when Grade 12s go off into the world as young adults and start the next chapter in their lives.
But lately the behaviour of some students has been less than mature.
Now to bring some balance to this editorial we’ll come right out and state that it’s easy to blame teenagers for all the ills of society. When you hear a loud exhaust, or squealing tires you’re probably thinking it’s just some kid showing off.
Teens get a bad rap far too often because, well, they’re teens.
Of course the reality is there’s far more good kids out there then bad ones — we know, we write about their successes on a weekly basis.
But there’s a growing concern of late as everyday at lunchtime a pack of kids are leaving their garage all over the street on the east side of R.F. Staples School despite several garbage cans just metres away.
The residents on that street are then left with an eyesore and a mess to clean up.
Cleaning up after oneself is taught back in elementary school, but it seems to be a lesson that some kids have forgotten … or at least think they’re too cool to follow.
But this issue is more than just about breaking the rules. It’s about respect and self respect.
When you leave your trash everywhere you’re disrespecting the people who live in the area, your fellow students and, most importantly, yourself.
This is your community too.
Really no one wants to live in garbage except Oscar the Grouch and he’s always in a terrible mood.
So, what’s the solution?
Maybe the town bylaw officer needs to make more rounds at noon, or the town can put up signs that say, “No littering,” but really that shouldn’t be necessary.
You guys are young adults.
You’re old enough to know better without being told not to throw trash on the street. Doing the right thing can be hard, inconvenient and sometimes even annoying, but that’s what adults do.
It’s time to start acting like one.
