Senior year, spring break is an opportunity to make those final spring break memories with friends before the long-awaited high school graduation. The SATs are over, and seniors are finally free from the stressful first few months of senior year. Most have already caught the infamous sickness, senioritis, and despite AP exams, the third and fourth semesters are generally relaxing. After three and a half years of hard work, spring break is the week before summer vacation seniors feel should be enjoyed with well-deserved fun. One thing, however, stands in the way: Dedication to a team.

Students who have been planning to go on vacation for spring break are now faced with a dilemma. The coaches of Bergen County announced that students could not miss meets or games during spring break. Failure to comply would mean being faced with consequences, even as extreme as being kicked off the team.

A CHS senior said, “This is bull… we already paid. The thing that doesn’t make sense is that some sports allow it. It’s the coach’s decision. Family obligations are okay, but having fun with your friends isn’t. What’s the difference? Going away is going away, right?” The student was referring to “excusable absences,” as opposed to those considered “inexcusable,” if the vacation is not with one’s family.

Mr. Al McLaughlin, a CHS guidance counselor and baseball coach, knows the difference. In his firm opposition, he stated, “I’m not against kids going away for vacation. I don’t like it that a student says they’re committed to a team but decides to go away when they know games are played during spring break. That to me shows a conflict of interest. Three, four games are going to be played. If you are fully committed to a team, you can’t go away, and come back expecting to bepart.”

When asked about his thoughts towards the vacation differing whether the trip was taken with family or just friends, he answered, “Family, friends. It is different because on a family vacation, students are under the control of their parents. If it’s the only time they can spend time with their family, that is still under the control of the parents.”

Mr. McLaughlin also mentioned the problems that arose last year, when two students were faced with the same predicament. He spoke to their parents and told the players they would not be on the team if they left. One left, one stayed. The one who left was not allowed to be back on theteam.

“I don’t know why they would come out for the team. You’re going away to sit in the sun and missing games that will affect the entire team? Speaking on behalf of the baseball team, state qualifications are determined by these games, because if they miss a game, they are going to be sitting out for more games. Some way the school has to get the message out.” Mr. McLaughlin added, “They know they can go when summer vacation begins. We end early this year. If we’re a team, we’re a team till the end.”

Senior Alicia Henry agrees that a student’s obligations to a team is more important and worth not going away. “I think when you make a commitment to a sport, you don’t go away. You let down your team and yourcoaches.”

Jenna Jardin, captain of the softball team, was in a sticky situation. “Bergen County coaches, in the middle of the year, say that we can’t play after all the plans have already been made. $1100. Nonrefundable trip. If they told us in the beginning of the year that these were the rules, this whole thing could have been avoided.” Because students felt so strongly on this issue, a meeting was arranged on December 15 among the athletic coaches. The meeting concluded that students would sit out two games for every game they missed. Students who have already made arrangements, however, feel that this policy is unfair. “We sit out two games for every game we miss, but that’s still six games, almost the whole season,” Jardin said.

Tom Francese, girl’s track coach, says that although students are rumored to be going away for spring break, he feels confident that his team will be there. Although he has never had a student tell him she would not be able to make it to the meet, there have been inquiries. His students have always “planned around the dual meet. If they don’t show up,” Mr. Francese explained, “their teammates will let them know how happy they are. The baseball team and softball team have three games during the break, and I have only one meet, which is a dual meet. A dual meet is not an individual thing. Teammates rely on others to be there. Last year, we would not have won the League if they weren’t there for the dual meet. But like I said, I feel confident that my team will be here.”