High school students punch time clocks after school
By CHELSEA ARNHOLD
MHS student reporter
How often do you walk into Carlsons' IGA and see a teenager standing at a register or stocking shelves? It's impossible to not see one. When school is not in session, they're always there, ready to serve you.
Sixty-four percent of our high school is employed, in town or out, trying to grab a couple extra bucks for one reason or another. Some have car payments and some just like to have spare money in their pockets.
More than three-quarters of the seniors have a job.
"I just started at the Marion Manor, but I've worked for five years total," said senior Joanna McGinness. Most seniors have worked at a paying job for about three years. And most make at least $5.50 an hour.
Four out of five juniors have a job. "Yea, unfortunately," said Erin Fruechting, "I have two jobs
Sophomores have a considerably smaller percent of working students, 53 percent. Like many sophomores, Chelsi Carlson hasn't been working for much more than two years and she makes $5.15 an hour. "I am involved in volleyball so I can't work on weekdays."
About half of the freshmen are employed and most of them have worked about two years and make about five dollars an hour.
Most students who don't have jobs wish they did. "Yes, I want a job," said freshman Katelyn Whitaker, "but I don't want to have to work every day."
Other students have different ideas. Junior Neil Waner replied, "Why do something boring when you could be having fun?"
A very small percentage of Marion High School is not involved in anything.
When I asked them if their jobs interfered with their school work and/or activities, 75 percent said that it didn't.
"I get off an hour earlier than the adults because I am in high school," said senior, Erica Bowley, a Parkside Nursing Home employee.
When asked if jobs interfere with musical practice, director Janet Killough responded, "Sometimes, if their employers aren't understanding, then, yes. When students sign up for the musical they understand they're responsible to get the time off."
With 64 percent of Marion High School in the work force you are bound to run into them sometime.
