This 2019-2020 school year AMS lot parking checks have become inconsistent, to say the least. Most years Seniors are the only students allowed to park in the lot as a last year privilege. But this year the parking lot is full of students who shouldn’t really be there.

Half of the parking spots are painted white reserved for students. Along with this students must pay for a parking pass, this pass allows them to park and not get towed. In years past juniors and sophomores have had to park at Tiehack if they drove to school. Parking checks used to be made to make sure only seniors were parking in the lot and those who weren’t were warned or towed.

Juniors, Sophomores, and visitors have been parking in the lot freely for the majority of the year. Fortunately, there is still an abundance of spots available and everyone is able to fit in the lot. But as some underclassmen see it as an opportunity to park easily, a few in the class of 2020 think this parking situation is unfair or disrespectful to them and their seniority.

“It’s hard when I had to wait three years to be able to park in the middle school. Especially because I live farther away from the school then most I had to figure out how to park as a Junior because there were no exceptions but this year it is free rein for everyone,” said Julisa Vega, an AHS Senior.

Other commuters to school think it is fair for them to park in the lot as long as it isn’t taking away needed spots for upperclassmen.

“I like to park in the middle school because sometimes at Tiehack they will tow or fine you whereas at the school you get a warning. I think it is fair for underclassmen to park there because there is still space for everyone else. It would be a different story if there wasn’t enough space for Seniors, but there is.” explained Morgan Ding, an AHS Sophmore.

Students who don’t park in the lot also have unbiased opinions on the whole situation.

“As someone who doesn’t personally park at school or drive at all, I think it is fair for Juniors to park in the lot with Seniors. But I don’t think sophomores should really be parking there because they are still underclassmen and have to have respect for waiting their turn to park. But most of my friends [who are Sophomores] also mostly try not to park in the lot every day to leave room for Seniors.” stated Tigist Peshek, an AHS Sophomores.