by Zach Kilgas and Meredith Crouch |

Nowadays, partying constantly bombards teens. Music compels teens to “party like a rock star” or “get the party started.” TV shows like Jersey Shore show the wild side of being of legal drinking age, these extreme examples and situations have affected teen’s perception of partying. It may seem like the cool, or popular choice at the time, but irresponsible decisions in high school can change a teen’s life forever. Throughout LHS, partying takes many different forms based on each student’s individual choices, experiences, and openness on various social media sites.

To guide our investigation, The Bell defined partying as when a group of five or more people get together for some fun. For teenagers, “fun” can be as simple as hanging out with a group of friends, watching movies and eating food together. For some teens, however, partying can also be when a considerably large amount of people gets together with loud music, games and possibly even the use of illegal drugs like alcohol and marijuana.

According to the Missouri Student Survey taken by LHS students in 2012, 76% of students surveyed do not drink alcohol and 85% do not use marijuana. A majority of, 49% of students who were interviewed over student email, by The Bell Staff say that they would never use alcohol and other drugs however, there still remains a small 5% of students who believe that a party is not a party without them. Even though there is a significantly smaller portion of students who use illegal drugs councilors and administration are still concerned.

Unfortunately, school policies, though strongly effective, cannot always protect students from making bad decisions outside of school. Some students attend parties almost every weekend, despite the known consequences and potential health risks associated with illegal drugs and drinking.

Each student had their own personal reason for their attraction to the illegal activities associated with partying. Many students explain that they use alcohol and other drugs as a way to “have fun” and to “connect to new people with similar interests”. Teens are attracted to parties because of the music, games and food but they mainly go to spend time with friends. When it comes to partying, the people involved seem to be the main attractant.

Students interviewed admitted their risky behavior has lead to dangerous situations.

“At one party, I was unresponsive for almost thirty minutes, and people were trying to wake me up but I couldn’t because I drank so much,” *Kyle said.

Overconsumption of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning, which is likely the reason this teen passed out at the party. Many students don’t to grasp the seriousness of situations like this. Alcohol poisoning is dangerous often fatal, in all these situations the person must receive medical attention immediately.

Another student had a brush with the law while at a party, and jeopardized her personal safety while attending a party.

“The worst thing that’s ever happened to me at a party was having to hide in a closet so more people started fighting,” *Sasha said.

Social Studies teacher, Vince Armilio, has detected strange behavior in students that he has linked to partying with alcohol and other drugs.

“Usually you can tell by their behavior in school that they party. If they have their heads down on their desk and look lethargic, it leads you to believe they haven’t had a lot of sleep. Redness around the eyes can show that they may have been drinking, they also have to hydrate a lot by drinking water,” Armilio said.

Most students know that they will be suspended for coming to school under the influence; they may not know that they can still be suspended if the administration discovers they had participated in illegal activities the night or weekend before if the substances are still in their system.

In the eyes, of teens that do not party, teen partying is viewed in a negative light. Some students choose not to party because they have had friends who have had bad experiences or heard about how a fellow student got into trouble with the school, or the law for their behaviors.

“Right now in high school is when everything is on the line. Whether its NHS or scholarships, this is when everything really matters.

And making that 30 second decision on whether you are going to smoke that joint or take that sip can change your life forever,” junior Olivia Bisges said.

“I hate to sound like my mother, but really you have to make good choices, and I don’t think partying falls into that category,” sophomore Desiree Johnson said.

“I think partying is fine as long as students aren’t doing illegal activities but unfortunately that’s all partying is now a days. Illegal substances are obviously illegal for a reason,” sophomore Lucas Simpson said.

These students explained they frequently hang out and do so without illegal substances. It is very easy for a newcomer to quickly assimilate to the group’s demeanor, peer pressure can be a huge factor in whether a teen chooses to use alcohol and other drugs at a party.

In sharp contrast to the views of a teen partier, administration had a different opinion. In an exclusive interview with Principal April Adams, she explained not only the school policy about drugs and alcohol, but also her personal opinion on the subject.

“I think it’s very dangerous, your body is at a developmental stage and there are reasons why there is a drinking age. Your body isn’t done developing until the age of 21,” Adams said.

Some students believe that what they do at a party over the weekend has nothing to do with their school life. Unfortunately, some party habits can follow a student throughout the school week. This includes destructive behavior during class and even the use of drugs and alcohol during school or at school events.

“The consequences for using any kind of substance, whether it’s alcohol or marijuana, include student’s grades starting to fall. Suddenly, A students become B students then, B students become C students and so on. We do see, as usage progresses that coming to school and making it from class to class becomes less of a priority. There may be some students who lose friends because of their use and may skip classes to avoid these people,” Prevention Coordinator Amy Tuso said.

The administration has set consequences for partying habits that are harmful.

“If you are under the influence or intoxicated at school, it’s an automatic ten day out of school suspension and a 45 day follow up,” Dr. Adams said. “If you are distributing, it is 180 school days of out-of-school suspension.”

The key to having an enjoyable time with friends is to make smart choices.

“There is no such thing as partying “smart” when it involves alcohol and other drugs. The overwhelming majority of people who use substances become addicted because it changes the way the brain works,” Tuso said.

At this age, partying seems like innocent fun, but it can have negative effects when unsafe decisions are made. Every LHS counselor is available to offer help to those in need. It is important to make good choices and to stay safe both in the classroom and on the weekends in order to have a successful and enjoyable time in high school.