Around the beginning of June, amidst all the summer festivities and fun times, something was delivered in the mail that, as dramatic as this may sound, changed the routine of every student at Liberty High School forever. Along with the new school schedule for the 2010-2011 school year and the orientation packet, there was a line included on the price list that read “Lanyards $7”. For most students, the initial reaction was one of pure confusion. For others, it was anger.

Fast forward to the beginning of the school year and students have finally gotten into the routine of wearing their lanyards. It is safe to say that all in all, these lanyards are really not that bad.

As a way to fully understand why these lanyards are essentially not that big of a deal, it is best to understand the reasoning behind them. First and foremost, the main reason lanyards are implemented is for security. There are about 60 to 70 students who are traveling to and from Liberty North High School and Liberty High School. Administrators want to ensure that every person in the building is a Liberty High School student and is where they need to be. By wearing lanyards around students’ necks, administrators are able to quickly verify that any particular student attends Liberty High School.

Although teachers and administrators constantly drill these next few words into students’ brains every day, lanyards really do “prepare students for the future.” Regardless if some may feel the consequences are a bit extreme, these lanyards really do teach students responsibility and prepare students for society. In college and in some work places, everyone is required to wear IDs. Once students start wearing them, a few years from now wearing a lanyard will just be customary.

It is also typically argued that the fact that every student wears a lanyard interferes with individuality. That is not true. Lanyards can be as unique as the student would like. “As long as it’s not sex, drugs, or alcohol, I’m all for it!” principal Dr. April Adams said.

Now that it is almost October and school has been in session for a good two months, have these lanyards really become such a bother? The Bell staff does not think so. We feel that these lanyards are safe, smart, and even a creative way to express themselves.