Beginning at the start of summer 2025, the AHS Junior lot has been ongoing construction, aiming to expand and renovate. However, with the loss of parking spaces available for students, the months without the parking lot has affected transportation for many, as people have been forced to find other ways to go to school. It also forces all traffic to flow from the senior lot in the back and the office gate in the front.
With this vehicular ordeal, many have been unwillingly forced to change things up to deal with the problem. Junior, Jared Padilla, is one of these students. He got his license in his sophomore year but hasn’t been able to use it as much due to the closure. When asked about how the construction has affected him, Jared stated that it has
Jared isn’t alone in this ordeal, as many other students are having this same problem, just in different ways. Some students now have to find parking close to the high school, which can be very competitive. Additionally, some students are now forced to get dropped off, adding onto the traffic issue going up the A building. However, we have to acknowledge the apparent flaws that needed to be addressed. Many know how littered and oftentimes unorganized the old parking lot was, with some parts not even having proper asphalt or lighting.
Assistant Principal Gilmore, who has further knowledge of the construction, described the old Junior lot as “not the safest or the cleanest”. In response to the backlash given by many about the closure of the lot, Gilmore addressed that “yes, we are well concerned about the parking problem, and it’s been one of our top priorities to fit student needs, however, there is no perfect time to start this project”. He continues, stating
This statement from our assistant principle, shows that sacrifices will have to be made in order to achieve the goal set for AHS. Additionally, Mr. Gilmore spoke further about the future of AHS, and the projects that lay ahead, saying
He reaffirmed that
Along with stating that “the gate will allow students to go in and out of campus, but keep out any unwanted visitors”
For the sake of safety hopefully things go well, as concerns are sure to arise no matter what. With the parking lot set to be complete around mid-November and the prospect of new projects on school grounds, the future seems bright if all goes well. Yes, there will be sacrifices that have to be made in order for this to happen, however we have to consider that the positives of this project have the potential to outweigh the negatives.
This isn’t just about renovation, this is the start of something bigger for our school that will hopefully have a long lasting impact for students and staff alike. For the time being we have to put trust into the people higher up making decisions for our school, but that doesn’t mean you as a student or member of AHS, have no say.
During our interview with Mr. Gilmore, he urged that if you have a suggestion for anything regarding our school, that they along with anyone else higher up are open to hear you out.
