As students finalize their post-high school plans in the next few weeks, the Black & White staff will be compiling our annual “destinations” list, a regular fixture in the last issue of each school year. The list is one of the most popular features of the year, and more copies of the newspaper are printed to meet parent and student interest.

In the past several months, however, several students and parents have expressed concerns with the destinations page, arguing that such a public display of students’ decisions adds undue stress to an already arduous process. While infrequent, other students and parents have also expressed these concerns in the past few years, CIC coordinator Janice Marmor confirmed.

While we take these concerns seriously, the Black & White will continue to print the destinations list for several reasons. The feature attracts significant interest—so much so that we increase production by around 300 copies. Parents and friends have known these seniors for years, and this list offers a simple way to see where they will go next.

Every student on that list has an accomplishment to celebrate. Students on the list are attending a college that they were accepted to, or joining the military, or taking a gap year, or entering the work world. Regardless of their choice, these seniors are taking a large step towards becoming adults—and that’s something to honor and recognize.

Too often in Whitman’s competitive environment do we forget how remarkable the achievements of this student body are in comparison to the rest of the United States. Over 97 percent of students attend either a four-year or two-year college following graduation, according to a MCPS 2012-2013 report.

Nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, that number falls to 68 percent. Students should view the list as a positive reflection of the student body rather than an additional stressor.

But to address these concerns, the newspaper—as we have always done—will continue to respect students’ privacy. All students are contacted by a Black & White reporter regarding their post-graduation plans, and these students may request that their names and plans not be included in the list.

The Black & White’s college destinations list is intended a celebration of the achievements of our extraordinary high school and the achievements of each student, rather than as an additional stressor for students. Look for the destinations page in the upcoming May issue of the newspaper.