By HiLite Staff

The meaning of the phrase “think before you act” has amplified itself around CHS in recent events. In an assembled and united body of people such as Carmel High School, every one of its members acts as an ambassador and representative of the school.

This is a responsibility that every student here carries with him, whether conscious of it or not. And as witnessed lately, mishandling that responsibility can be detrimental not only to an individual, but to the entire embodiment of the institution.

This school is renowned for its athletic, academic and extra-curricular excellence. The women’s swimming team just took home its twenty-fourth consecutive state championship. It has been reported that the number of National Merit Scholars here is on a steady rise each year. This school’s communications publications and outlets, musical groups and competitive academic clubs consistently rank not only top in the state, but in the nation as well.

We even top the charts when it comes to philanthropy, with this year’s Carmel Dance Marathon raising $174,545.72 for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children. The publicity that comes with this success is undoubtedly large and deserving.

Unfortunately, however, the attention that comes hand-in-hand with one slip in judgment is astronomical. And while it does not completely erase the reputation this school has built for itself, it does hinder it severely and negates some of the hard work students have put forth into making this school what it is.

Last fall, when the band volunteer was found guilty of having inappropriate relations with a student, the incident set off another round of jokes and reminders of scandals between faculty and students from years ago. Most of us do not remember or know about those older incidents, but they’ve been immortalized not only in the news but on the Internet as well.

Such is the consequence of technology: if even one minor problem arises at this school, the public relations necessary to build our reputation back up takes more effort than the effort to become a great school in the first place.

Having our good name take a plunge is frustrating, but living under the spotlight of the public is gruesome. Brutal comments fly and uneducated sources only add fabrication to the rumor mill. Getting constant jokes and nasty remarks thrown your way and always having an outsider breathing down your neck wanting more information is exhausting. And is something that frankly, the student body here does not deserve. The actions of few should not crumble the efforts of many.

Considering all repercussions, the congregation of students here should continue with their award-winning work, but also use discretion in their actions and thoughts, because it will affect everyone else.

Nearly all of this year’s senior class will have turned 18 by graduation, legalizing their adulthood. As a legal adult now, it’s time to act like one. Putting other’s needs above your own personal motives, considering the aftermath of your actions and in the end, taking full responsibility for those actions are all examples of displaying adulthood.

As teenagers removing ourselves from our adolescent years, we expect to be treated like adults, but with that comes adult standards.

Above all, upon entering the “real world” we seem to want nothing more than to have the freedom an adult. But as former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “With freedom comes responsibility.”