High Life: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : When You Wish Upon a Poll, Answers Surpise

The high school years are fraught with wishes: wishes to fit in, wishes for a date with that special someone or wishes for scholarships to top universities. However, when some students were polled at a summer leadership conference at UC Santa Barbara, their wishes ranged from global concerns to esoteric ones.

Hot Topics asks, “If you could have one wish for the upcoming school year that was guaranteed to come true, what would it be?”

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“End racism.”

Clare Climaco, 16,

senior, Brea-Olinda

“I’d want peace in the world and an end to unemployment.”

Tung Ho, 17,

senior, Mission Viejo

“100% school spirit.”

Nicole Alvino, 15,

junior, Marina

“To have the students respect ASB (Associated Student Body government) and understand what we do for them.”

Anne Blackburn, 17,

senior, Marina

“Mo’ money.”

Megan Gordon, 17,

senior, Katella

“To get accepted to any school I want to.”

Andrew Tahmoush, 17,

senior, Corona del Mar

“To be CIF champions in football.”

Aaron Tavernier, 16,

senior, Orange

“More respect and spirit at Foothill.”

Jessie Carter, 17,

senior, Foothill

“To learn how to sing really, really good.”

Ken Tripp, 16,

junior, Laguna Hills

“That I get into Harvard.”

Amanda McLaughlin, 16,

senior, Mission Viejo

“I’d like everyone to unite and become friends with everyone. No cliques.”

Missy Lords, 17,

senior, Brea-Olinda

“Genuine school spirit by the entire student body.”

Eric Enquist, 16,

senior, Huntington Beach

“I would wish for better school relations, both among our student body and with other schools.”

Christine Sheets, 17,

senior, Ocean View

“To get a scholarship to the Pasadena School of Art.”

Stuart Chase, 16,

senior, Edison

“To get high honors in sports.”

Ryan Boyajian, 16,

junior, Laguna Hills

“More student involvement.”

Holly Meyers, 15,

junior, Marina

“To win a full scholarship to some Southern school.”

Brent Allen, 16,

senior, Edison

“I wish that girls’ soccer would make it to CIF.”

Rebecca Comstock, 17,

senior, Orange

“Come into lots of money. I don’t care how.”

Robin Glover, 17,

senior, Orange

“I want a scholarship to UCLA for volleyball.”

Katy Burnett, 17,

senior, Edison

“I would wish for a widespread acceptance for different cultures and races.”

Joseph Creagh, 17,

senior, Brea-Olinda

“I’d wish for an infinite number of wishes.”

Ryan Bigby, 17,

senior, Mission Viejo

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

How, specifically, have any budget cuts at your school affected you as a student?