By: Footprint Staff Writers

Each year The Gazette, the local newspaper published in Schenectady, encourages students from local schools to enter their pieces in a writing competition.  Managing Editor Judith S. Patrick recently contacted the Footprint’s own Nikki Kupferman, to congratulate her for earning an honorable mention in the category of news/features. Her article, “High Expectations,”  published in one of the last printed versions of The Footprint, earned Nikki the right to attend an awards reception at the Gazette Newspapers headquarters in Schenectady on Wednesday, April 27. Her article will be published in the special Student Gazette insert to The Daily Gazette on Friday, May 13.

“I was confused when I received the notice that my story was going to be recognized, since I didn’t realize Mrs. O had entered it. Even after that I was kind of shocked because I didn’t think it was that good, but I’m flattered that someone thought it was good.”

Here is Nikki’s article in its entirety:

“High Expectations

“As a junior in high school, there is a lot of pressure because it’s time to start focusing on school work and looking for the perfect college or career. A lot of this pressure can come from parents, teachers, and yourself. These people all expect you to go far and do wonderful things, but there is always a looming feeling that you can never live up to what they expect you to do.

“For most teens it is a known fact that a lot of pressure about schooling comes from their parents. All parents want is to see their kids achieve all of their goals and more, but sometimes a teen can interpret it as a parent wanting too much. Then, when you look around comparing grades, all you see is your possible class rank and the college letters sitting on your desk. For the briefest moment you may wonder, what if this all falls apart and you hard work isn’t good enough?

“If thoughts like that grow, they can make your school life a lot harder than it is because they will literally start to define who you are. Wanting to get good grades is fine, but when you are losing sleep over the thought of PSAT scores, that’s ridiculous.  It’s highly likely that a student will run themselves into the ground trying to impress and please everyone around them. So, it is very important to remember that when you are looking at that very large pile of letters from colleges you have never even heard of and your mom or dad are giving you their advice, you have to keep your mind open.  Most of the time when you think that your parents are trying to force their ideas and expectations on you, they really are just trying to help you. They want to help you through the process of college applications and becoming an adult.  I know this because this is what my parents tell me every day when I put too much pressure on myself.

“The college process is something you are going to need to work through step by step. There are all sorts of web pages that can help you find the one college that fits your wants and needs. You may think that the best college to go to is one with a well known name, or one of the “elite,” but there are so many more that are just as good. The college that you pick should be your choice and you shouldn’t let the hopes and pressures of other people because your education is about you.

“It’s okay to set the bar high for yourself and go after your dreams, but don’t let the stress so expectations keep you from having fun while doing that.  Just be proud of what you do without killing yourself with the anxiety.”

Congratulations Nikki!