Graduation Requirements

by Kerry Richards

Graduation is fast approaching and it seems time to reflect on graduation requirements. Pembroke has the basic ones, passing four years of English, not flunking out, etc. But Pembroke also does something else, they require forty community service hours. By doing so Pembroke hopes to live up to its mission statement and improve the student body’s sphere of influence. They want their students to become involved in their community. Many students complain about this requirement. They feel like they shouldn't be forced to help out in their town just to graduate. They don't see it as necessary to an educational institute. Many also raise the point that it’s not really charity if it’s forced. However, I think this is a good requirement to have. It wouldn't even occur to the average highs schooler to volunteer, not because of a cruel viewpoint but because of an ambivalent one. By being “forced” into helping, it really is expanding the world teenagers know. It exposes people to a world they may not have known about, whether it be one of poverty or abuse or merely something simpler, like a possible career path. It also helps the community. It introduces a whole new slew of volunteer workers. Many places requiring volunteers are understaffed and teenagers are a welcome addition to the crew. The community benefits in every way. Overall, for many teenagers it may be a pain to spend forty whole hours helping others, but in the end, it does so much