Courtesy Sadie Garcia

A determined student battles the unyielding yellow sticker on their car.

The parking issue at WJ has always been a popular subject amongst teachers and students alike. Seniors eagerly await their coveted parking permits, while juniors eye those empty spots with envy. The senior lot, a hallowed ground for those who’ve earned their stripes, has faced its fair share of challenges.

The lot, reserved exclusively for permit holders, should be a sanctuary for our graduating class. Yet year after year, juniors infiltrate the order. The consequences are subject to the ripple effect: seniors forced to park in the staff lot, teachers scrambling for spots, and chaos ensuing. It’s a turf war, and the stakes are high.

Enter the yellow stickers—a novel approach to curb unauthorized parking. These sticky sentinels serve as warnings, plastered on windshields like neon badges of shame. But do they work?

Let’s break it down:

“It’s not effective because you can peel it off with a razor and move on with your day. However, it’s very embarrassing because you can’t remove it until you get home,” said senior Sadie Garcia.

The Embarrassment Factor: The stickers, like clingy acquaintances, haunt your conscience. Imagine explaining that stubborn yellow square to your parents over dinner!

“I know juniors who stopped parking in the senior lot because the consequences are starting to get serious. Getting your car towed costs a lot more than the five minute walk from Davis Library!” said junior Izzy Chomas.

The Gradual Escalation: Minor offenses earn a half-sticker—a gentle nudge toward compliance. Peel it off, and all is forgiven, just so long that you don’t do it again. But cross the line—no permit, staff lot shenanigans—and behold the full-sticker wrath. Removal requires a razor, determination, and perhaps a touch of regret. Three of these stickers serve as grounds for your car to be towed.

“Mr. Leaman stood outside with yellow stickers one morning and suddenly the lot has several more available parking spots,” senior Madaline Chomas said.

The Vanishing Act: Ever since the stickers arrived, the senior lot has transformed. Mornings reveal actual open spots, like rare Pokémon sightings. Juniors, wary of the sticky specter, think twice before trespassing.

The battle continues during lunchtime. Open spots appear but non-permit holders persist. The staff lot, their new conquest, bears the burden. Faculty without early morning duties arrive late to the parking party. Seniors, scarred by past events, watch solemnly.

The yellow stickers have made a dent, but the war isn’t over. Solutions are temporary, and thus the administration is forced to keep strategizing. Could we designate junior-only spaces? Implement stricter enforcement? Or maybe—brace yourselves—encourage carpooling? The possibilities are endless.

The parking issue at WJ is more than just a matter of convenience. It is a reflection of our values and our respect for each other. The yellow stickers have been a clever and effective way to discourage unauthorized parking, but they are not a foolproof solution. We may be tempted to test the boundaries, but we should also be aware of the consequences. After all, we are not only parking in a lot, we are parking in a community.