As parking passes were distributed this fall, the feeling of dismay arose from seniors who were in need of a parking spot. Many were anticipating using their long-awaited senior privilege but couldn’t due to a newer system.

“I was very dissatisfied,” said senior Carin Coleman. “I filled out the form very early, but that didn’t even matter because the process was so randomized. It wasn’t first come first serve like in the past.”

In the past, in order to obtain a parking pass, students would have to go to the office and pick up a paper form to secure a spot. However, this process has been replaced by a more accessible, digital form.

“The paper form kind of forced only the kids who needed them to go get them,” said senior Emily Yelnicker. “Because this year the kids who only kind of wanted a parking spot did not want to go through the trouble of going to the office and getting the physical form so they just saw the digital form and did it. It was super easy to fill out, I think that was their first mistake. Kids who didn’t need them as much could access them lazily.”

On the form, there was a section where students could list all their reasons for needing a parking spot, such as having an off campus waiver or just being unable to take the bus.

Despite this being taken into consideration 0n the application, requests ended up being disregarded in the end.

“It was a random drawing due to the large number of applicants we received. I believe we may have had more applicants because the Google form was more accessible, however this senior class is also larger than last year’s,” said Safety and Security Specialist Bradley Adams.

As a result of the lottery type system, many students who needed a parking pass were at a loss and didn’t know what to do. Taking the bus to school is still an option no matter how old the student, but for some, driving their own personal vehicle is absolutely crucial.

“I have [a fear of germs] said Yelnicker. “It’s really hard for me to take the bus because it’s super crowded and I don’t like being around that many people with a germ concern, which is why I kind of rely on taking the car.”

Some students don’t have an assigned bus route and have no choice but to drive to school, despite not having a parking spot. However they now have to take some extra steps to make it to the building.

“If you don’t get by door 12 early, the spots fill up quickly and you might end up having o park all the way past the neighborhoods near t hillside,” said Coleman. “It could be a five to seven minute walk to the school.”

Seniors who come in for a late start or have an early release have to face a similar issue, as school buses do not come into campus during the times they arrive or leave school.

“I have a free period during 2nd period so I have to show up during 4th period so that’s a late start, and If I don’t have a parking spot I have to go really far back into Rolling Road,” said senior Jean Laffite.

Though, the effects of not having a parking spot have thrown some seniors for a loop, practical alternative methods of getting to and from school have been established, a common method being carpooling with a friend who does have a pass.

“The days that I have a free period, my friend Becca drives me home and on the days we have marching band together we drive home together,” said senior Charlotte Jackson.

Now, with a recent decision to close door 12 in the mornings, students will have to redirect their previous walking routes to arrive to school on time. Seniors who received the shorter end of the stick, meaning no parking pass, will likely have to face this challenge alongside their peers.