By Lauren Azrin
On October 6, 2018, Judge Kavanaugh was officially sworn in to the U.S. Supreme Court after weeks of investigations and debate. The allegations of his harassment and sexual assault made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford have landed him in major trouble and placed him in an infamous national spotlight, nearly causing him to lose his nomination for the Supreme Court as well as his reputation.
No matter what you believe about the allegations against Kavanaugh, one lesson can be learned—what you do in high school can have a serious impact on your future. Our actions and decisions now should not be taken lightly and should be preceded by careful consideration.
When Kavanaugh’s yearbook from his high school was found and read, many parts were used to prove that his character in high school was one completely capable of sexual harassment. On his page appeared the questionable phrase that he was a “Renate Alumnus.” Renate Schroeder Dolphin, whose name is mentioned at least 14 times in his yearbook on other boys’ pages that year, was a student at a nearby Catholic school for girls. This claim brings up many questions and concerns, as it is a degrading and repulsive comment towards her and all women. He also wrote “100 kegs or bust,” hinting at inappropriate and disrespectful behavior with alcohol (NY Times).
Kavanaugh’s choices to behave in this alleged manner and then write them down in a yearbook, if true, caused him humiliation on an international level that could have been avoided if he had thought more about the impact of his actions. We can all learn from Kavanaugh’s mistakes and protect our futures by making safe and thoughtful decisions while we are in high school and beyond.
Take it from Kavanaugh himself, who said in an interview with Fox that, “I think all of us have provably done things we look back on in high school and regret or cringe a bit.” Think before you act. Your future self will thank you.