In many high schools, being an office aide is an important position traditionally reserved for seniors. While seniors certainly deserve opportunities to develop leadership and responsibility, limiting office aide roles exclusively to them overlooks the potential of juniors who are equally as capable. Opening these positions to juniors would benefit not only the students themselves but also the school community as a whole.

Juniors are often just as responsible and mature as seniors. By the time students reach their junior year, they have already spent two years adapting to high school life, understanding its routines and developing strong organizational skills. Many juniors seek opportunities to challenge themselves and prepare for senior year, college, or future careers. Allowing juniors to serve as office aides offers a chance to build real world skills such as communication, time management and problem solving in a more professional environment.

Second, expanding eligibility to juniors would help alleviate the workload in the school office. The office is often a busy place, managing schedules, answering questions, and managing many administrative tasks. More aides mean more hands on deck, which can lead to quicker responses and a smoother, more efficient running office. This benefits the entire school community, such as students, teachers and staff.

Including juniors promotes more opportunities and motivation. By opening these roles earlier, juniors have the ability to demonstrate responsibility and get involved in the school community. It breaks down the senior-only barrier that can sometimes hold unnecessary competition. Instead, juniors feel recognized and trusted, which encourages a culture of respect and engagement across grade levels, not just seniors.

Of course, it’s important that office aides are selected based on how they act and readiness, not just grade level. 

Allowing juniors to be office aides benefits the school environment by holding leadership skills earlier, easing office workload, and encouraging greater student participation. It’s time for Willis high school to recognize seniors aren’t the only ones that have maturity and capability. Juniors deserve the opportunity to contribute, and the school will benefit from it.