By Angela Neubeck Reporter/Photographer and Jakilah Vaden/Reporter/Photographer
High School relationships can be one of the most important things to a teenager.
Couple Andrea Gutierrez Silva and Saveon Carter share their lunch and a laugh. Photo by Angela Neubeck.
Students are still learning to respect boundaries and communicate correctly at this age. Most teenagers think they know how to do both, which can cause problems like arguments and toxic environments. Most teenagers don’t want to hear that they are wrong so that communication can be hard. When teenagers learn to communicate and express themselves, it helps build a healthy, loving, and long-lasting relationship.
“As someone in a relationship, I think being honest and communicating with each other has helped my boyfriend and me do it right. If something is wrong, we tell each other calmly and work it out together,” sophomore Andrea Gutierrez Silva said.
According to Gutierrez Silva, it was hard talking about uncomfortable topics because it could end up in arguments. Still, after an uneasy break and time to grow and heal, they returned together and continued to work on themselves together.
For others, high school relationships aren’t important to teenagers; they like to focus more on school work and sports. Teens might be held back if they are committed to someone through their high school years.
"Honestly, I don’t understand why high school relationships are so big. I feel like everyone is in one, making it harder for them to live. I was in a relationship my freshman year, and it held me back from baseball and playing guitar, so I decided to stay out of them,” said sophomore Austin Burnett.
Some have been fully committed to a relationship while in high school. It could be beneficial to them always to have someone there. Most relationships end in a breakup, and it could hit harder than normal for the kids who have been committed for so long. They can fall into depression and lose motivation.
“I was in a relationship for a year and a half, and it completely changed me as a person. After it ended, I didn’t know what to do with myself because we were too serious at a young age. I was already going through family issues, and not having my best friend there for me made it ten times worse. It’s been six months since the breakup, and I feel like my life choices have not been good because it still affects me,” said sophomore Alexander Gomez.
By Jakilah Vaden
Reporter/Photographer "Students navigate the ups and downs of relationships"
High school is a time of growth, change, discovery, and social life. They also explore the world of relationships. For most teenagers, high school is the first time they experience romantic love, and the journey is filled with ups and downs.
Aniya Washington has been in a relationship with the same person since 8th grade. Starting as friends, they couldn’t deny their feelings any longer. They decided to open up to each other.
“Our relationship was mutual respect and admiration. When we first met, we were friends, always close, and our relationship grew stronger, but as years went on, our relationship began to change. We started growing apart,” Washington said. They had been together for what felt like forever, but the spark that was in their relationship seemed to fade.
At Crete-Monee, relationships are a common discussion. Students gathered in groups to gossip about who was dating who and who broke up. Relationships were a source of joy and companionship for some high school students. For others, they were a source of headache and pain.
Sometimes, it’s better to let go than to hold on to something that no longer serves you. Joshua Porter is not currently in a relationship but has experienced relationships with friends and similar things.
“You and your person have to want the best for each other genuinely and have an understanding and agreement to bond with each other and have understood, and you can’t just expect them to know what you want.” Porter said.
Of course, not all high school relationships are the same as others. In the end, high school relationships reflect the twist of human nature. As teenagers navigate the world of relationships, it’s important to remember that every experience is a learning opportunity, and the lessons we learn will shape us.
“High school relationships are where emotions run wild, and friendships are tested to their limits,” said Washington.
High school relationships can be a wild ride for everyone. They teach us precious lessons about love, trust, and self-discovery. Love can be both exciting and challenging. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where we learn about our desires and insecurities.
As high school students move forward, they carry these lessons with them, ready to face everyday challenges. The ever-changing landscape of relationships that awaited them before high school.
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