A revolution is taking place right under our noses. Not only
does California have a new governor, fires down on the southern
border, and a Monopoly-style $20 bill. But my home town Morgan Hill
also has a brand new high school. No not Sobrato, your true blue
Live Oak High School has arrived.
A revolution is taking place right under our noses. Not only does California have a new governor, fires down on the southern border, and a Monopoly-style $20 bill. But my home town Morgan Hill also has a brand new high school. No not Sobrato, your true blue Live Oak High School has arrived.
Wait, you might be thinking that Live Oak still looks the same to you. And yes on the outside it does appear to be the same, except for some minor renovations. But the minor renovations on the outside are nothing compared to the monumental changes taking place on the inside.
Live Oak has an entirely new atmosphere. An aura of unity and a can’t-stop attitude has spread all over campus.
A typical day starts out with a bang with the morning announcements. Instead of a robotic-like droid reading the daily news, a cheerful, quirky bunch can be heard from the front of the school all the way out to the football field.
The football team is another amazing feature of Live Oak. Sure, they had a few losses this season but that didn’t hurt the jovial spirit of the team. Instead of reflecting on all of the negativity, the team rose above and concentrated on how far they had come.
Lunches are also a very entertaining attraction to say the least. Without fail every single Friday a new activity is tried out. Everything from “The Dating Game” to free-styling rappers to races on skateboards with plungers is played. Instead of Fridays being a time where some students might want to check-out it is a time to check in. Students who don’t have class next period stay to see what each Friday might bring.
On top of the new internal structure of Live Oak it has also undergone some cosmetic surgery. The face of Live Oak is brand, spanking new. A shiny, tall, ripped yet unisex nut is now our mascot. The potato sack is gone and the lean, mean, fighting machine is here to stay (for at least 15-20 years according to the manufacturer).
A lot of the non-conformity and celebration of the school is due to the students. The school would not have a mascot without the donation for the gift from the class of 2004. The announcements, lunch time activities, and other social events wouldn’t be taking place without the students behind them.
This year the turn around of Live Oak has been because of its student leaders. From the captain of the football team to the marching band drum major, and the president of FBLA; the front runners of Live Oak have made an immense amount of difference. Most of the leaders happen to be seniors and, as one, I do not want you to think that my opinion is biased. But the seniors on campus have been guiding the way for those who follow in their footsteps.
I think that the teachers, students and administrators of 2004 have shown that a school doesn’t have to be au currant in order to be fresh and invigorated. This year alone Live Oak will have hosted its first drive-in movie, St. Valentine’s dance and concert by a major rock band.
The newness of any school can be a very touchy subject. The whole duel between Live Oak and Sobrato can get very heated at board meetings. The advantages of going to a brand new campus with all of its state-of-the-art equipment can seem very appealing. However, what is beyond the material objects is much more important, in my opinion.
The heart and soul of a school make it what it is. I could be going to my English class in a straw hut composed of various organic materials and still be satisfied. I attended some of the most meticulously manicured and cared for campuses; but that didn’t make the school any better than some of the “ugliest” campuses.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” has been a statement that has most definitely rung true for me. Looking beyond what first appears and seeing the potential in what I have has made my whole high school experience a much better one. And I can only hope that those around me think and feel my sentiments.
Courtney Gavin is a senior at Live Oak, is Commissioner of Spirit for the Associated Student Body. She will alternate writing for Teen Perspective with Yasser Elassal and Cindy Hernandez. Contact Courtney at cl********@***oo.com
