To the editor:
My name is Lucy Dohoney. I am a junior at Monument Mountain Regional High School. On November 4, voters from Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge will decide whether or not to rebuild Monument Mountain Regional High School. I have attended Monument for three years, and I also have two older sisters who attended the school. Between us, we have participated in nine sports, 10-plus clubs, and many other high school events. On top of that, my dad has been a member of the School Committee for more than five years. Through all of this, I have spent a great deal of my time in or around the school and its culture. I have learned from some of the best teachers, worked with talented and diverse classmates, and obtained new skills on courts and fields. While all these people helped me succeed and reach my full potential in my learning, the building and property have failed me. The flooding of the girls’ locker room, the splinters from the bleachers, and the sweat stains on t-shirts from the lack of central air conditioning may seem like small inconveniences, but they have a big collective impact on me and the student body, holding us back from reaching our true learning, athletic, and social potential. The new building would positively impact countless future students and their families.
The new high school would cost $152 million, with $61 million of that from aid money and $1.6 million in incentives. Understandably, many members of our community are worried about the personal financial burden that comes with this construction, leading them to potentially vote “No.” While their concerns are important and valid, I firmly believe building a new high school is truly our only option. The solution of continuing to make repairs on our worn-out school is not feasible. The repairs alone would cost $89 million, with no money in grants from the state, leading the costs to fall entirely on the taxpayer. These repairs would also take many years to complete, leaving room for additional costs over time.
Beyond the cost and time this rebuild requires, I urge you to vote “Yes” for our students and their future. My classmates and I deserve to learn in a safe environment with modern resources to do our best learning. I know firsthand that this community is filled with passionate learners, athletes, leaders, and artists. Despite the failing building, this student body has done unmatched things, getting into top colleges, making it to the state finals in basketball, and earning perfect scores on AP tests. Having more opportunities to explore the trades, the arts, and community internships will give us more room and resources to dive deeper into our learning with hands-on and thoughtful experiences. I personally promise you that investing in the ambitious youth of our community will benefit you someday, whether we become your neighborhood automotive mechanic or the future president. Monument Mountain and its student body have the potential to reach great heights. So, please vote “YES” on November 4.
Lucy Dohoney
Great Barrington
Click here to read The Berkshire Edge’s policy for submitting Letters to the Editor.
