by Natalie Fitts

TNT wasn’t convenient. Gym classes had to be moved to a different location. Mr. Egner’s students and advisees struggled getting to and from his classroom. Students and shoppers crammed into the parking lots and side streets. And I can only imagine the amount of time and work the organizers of the event put into it.

But I’m certain there was at least one thing students and parents alike appreciated about the annual garage sale: for once, money wasn’t coming directly from their pockets.

STA is expensive. Any parent or student that comes into it thinking otherwise is only fooling him or herself. Tuition is one of the highest in the city. Add onto that the cost of uniforms, netbooks, gas, special events, yearbooks and anything else that comes with attending a prestigious college-preparatory high school, and the total comes out to be a small (or not so small) fortune.

But then comes the various fundraisers throughout the year. First is the selling of auction raffle tickets in the fall. Students are encouraged to sell $100 worth of tickets to receive the famous “pants.” I understand that I am not required to participate, but I certainly feel a lot of pressure to. No one wants to be the only girl in her advisory to not sell tickets and prevent everyone from getting a beloved Chipotle burrito. So I try to repress my feelings of guilt and ask my parents to fork over $40.

Now, this year, instead of TNT, STA is hosting the first annual Stars Walk of Fame. The event encouraged each student to raise $60 in sponsorships before the one mile walk around the track April 12. Like the various prizes attached to the selling of raffle tickets, incentives for the walk included t-shirts, pedometers and the opportunity to win an iPad, concert tickets, gift cards, yard days and pizza lunches.

While I did not feel as pressured to participate in this fundraiser, I still felt somewhat weird when the last day to turn in money came and I had nothing. However, the feeling was not as bad as the feeling of asking others for money would. I would feel bad asking my neighbors, extended family or family friends for money, especially when they know how much my parents are already paying and when they have various expenses of their own that rightfully take priority over mine. However, I feel even worse asking my parents for more money than they are already sacrificing for my education when they could easily be sending me to a more conveniently located and priced public high school.

I might have a different perspective if there was a concrete cause my donations were supporting. For example, when I was in grade school, my school needed a new gym floor. Knowing exactly what the money was being used for made people more apt to contribute, and getting to see the final product that every student was able to use was satisfying. A definite goal helps people get more excited about donating.

I love STA and want it to be just as awesome in the coming years for future classes. However, I also do not want to feel like my family is constantly being asked to give money for one thing or another. I know STA needs money beyond what tuition provides. However, I like the concept of having one fundraiser that draws primarily from the STA community (the auction, specifically the raffle) and one that draws from a different group, bringing awareness of our school to people who otherwise would not hear about or get to experience STA.