Up until now, people have consistently wondered who J.P. Steven was. According to the legend, he was a man who graciously donated the land that would turn into our high schools. In truth, he served as an important member of Edison’s Board of Education, and our school was named to pay tribute to him. Now that 60 years have passed, one can’t help but wonder what he would feel about our school in its current state.
John P. Stevens, a man from a bygone era, would be utterly astonished if he were to suddenly find himself in the lively corridors of J.P. Stevens High School. He would straighten his tie from the 1960s, fasten his vest, and wear a puzzled expression. The noise from the students and the unusual gadgets they carried would be surprising. “Just what are those objects they’re focused on?” he would ask, gesturing toward a cluster of teenagers fixated on their phones.
He would peer into classrooms, and stare in shock at the silent students staring at their screens, their teachers doing work on their own devices. “Why aren’t you teaching?” he would reprimand. Upon hearing about the assignment given through these devices, he would be amazed at how the documents could spread to each device so fast.
He would find joy in the thrilling pep rallies and the synchronized dances the students performed while he roamed the bleachers. “Honestly, I think school spirit is positive,” he’d laugh while observing the students. Little would he know that all the noise came from the students’ talk of homework, rather than the ongoing pep rally. However, he would scowl at the view of students loitering in the hallways, unaware of the lessons they were skipping. “During my time, we prioritized punctuality and discipline,” he would complain.
A trip to the library’s computers would render him speechless. “Books displayed on a… screen?” he would ask in wonder and astonishment. “What became of the scent of paper and the soft sound of pages flipping?” He would shake his head, mourning the deterioration of conventional education. Naturally, he would feel the need to step in, if not by the means of education, then the way students receive it. Having served on the Board of Education, he would offer us students much advice. “Put in effort, work persistently, and continuously aim for superior results,” he would say.
While he may have been a man of the past, John P. Stevens would appreciate what our school has evolved into. He would appreciate the extensions to our school to accommodate the increasing number of students, although he might get lost, especially with the new separate building! He would be in awe of the art and photos that decorate the walls of the school. His spirit would live on in the halls of J.P. Stevens High School, inspiring future students to do their homework!
