THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506160213
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY JOE MARINO, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
As the class of 1995 moves on, many of tomorrow's leaders will be making their way into the real world. Responsibility for the very future of America will eventually fall on their shoulders.
But what future is that? Will we as a country continue to ride high, or will we get pulled under the wheels of our own success?
In The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's fourth annual survey of high school seniors, only half of the 420 students surveyed thought that the United States would still be the most powerful country on earth by the year 2000.
What were the reasons for this sudden lack of faith in the United States?
``Because the U.S. sticks its nose into everyone else's business,'' said Amy Brinn, an Oscar F. Smith High School senior. ``But we don't mess too much with North Korea because they supposedly have nuclear weapons. I think they will be the most powerful country in the future.''
Leaving town
On a different note, more than half of this year's graduates plan to leave the Hampton Roads area after graduation. One reason for this may be that three-quarters of them plan to attend a four-year university. Eleven percent of those surveyed plan to attend a two-year college, and 7 percent will join the military.
``I've had enough of Hampton Roads,'' said Julie Ivory, a Great Bridge High School senior. ``I like more of a big city atmosphere. Cities like Washington, D.C., or Richmond are more appealing to me.''
Drugs and alcohol
Two major problems for American teens today are drugs and alcohol. Students go through anti-drug and alcohol programs from elementary school onward, and health classes constantly teach awareness and resistance education. Yet nearly four-fifths of area seniors say that they've seen drug and alcohol use go up among people they know.
This figure has climbed every year of the survey. In 1992, only 61 percent of the seniors said drug use had increased. In 1993 it increased to 68 percent. By 1994 it was 71 percent. This year, 79 percent reported an increase in drug and alcohol use among their peers.
So why have the education methods failed?
``Nobody really cares.'' said Kristen Kerwin, an Indian River High School senior. ``The programs the schools have are not the right things to get kids educated.''
Race relations
Another issue raked over by the schools is racial harmony. Getting along with different cultures and different people is generally taught in history and English classes. Yet almost 40 percent of seniors say that race relations have gotten worse since they entered high school.
This figure has also climbed in every senior survey since 1993, when the question was first included. In 1993, 30 percent said that race relations had worsened. In 1994, the figure was 34 percent. This year, it is nearly 40 percent.
What's behind this?
``My elementary school was about 90 percent white,'' said Carrie Newell, a Great Bridge High School senior, ``and the main one it mixed with at the junior high was about 90 percent black. Everyone wasn't as used to the schools being as mixed. We're still not used to each other in high school.''
Meanwhile, almost a third of the seniors said that different races are getting along better now than before, while 33 percent think students' attitudes have stayed the same since they entered school 13 years ago.
A change in values
While the void between the races is widening, today's graduates are also separating themselves from traditional family values. The largest response to the question ``I attend church or worship'' was ``never,'' at 25 percent. Almost the same number reported going to church or worshiping once a month. However, 16 percent do so more than once a week.
Also, 33 percent of seniors want abortions to be ``unrestricted under all circumstances.'' Equal numbers - 15 percent - wanted them banned completely or available only with parental permission.
Obstacles to success
Although a public education is free, it is not necessarily free from hassles. Asked about what obstacles stood in the way of achieving all they could have, Chesapeake students had answers ranging from jobs to laziness.
``Money,'' said Tom Quinn, a senior at Oscar F. Smith High School. ``It has prevented me from attending the college of my choice.'' MEMO: Joe Marino is a graduating senior at Bayside High School ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Joe Marino
Chart
1995 Annual Senior Survey
For complete information see microfilm
by CNB