In the beginning of 8th grade you must make a choice about the last school of your life. Your choices are between Cape Henlopen and Sussex Technical. I picked Sussex Tech for my high school experience. I wasn’t sure if they would pick me though. Yes I had fantastic grades but that didn’t matter, what mattered was if you were picked in the lottery.
In September you get a large folder full of information on Sussex Tech. There was a booklet full of your classes, your technical cores, your exploratory, an open house permission slip, and a signup sheet for Tech. The booklet had all the technical cores you could choose from such as criminal justice, child care, environmental, media broadcasting, graphic design, nursing, auto body, auto diesel, cosmetology, carpentry, electrical, and health profession. Your classes are chosen by what math class you have, algebra or pre-algebra. Since I have algebra I get higher classes. On the signup sheet you have to put your top six technical courses to “explore,” your 2nd marking period report card, and what your current math class is.
To get into Sussex Tech there is a drawing of your name. There are over 600 applicants and only 320 entries. It doesn’t matter what your grades are, if you are a straight A student your place might be taken by a C student. I do not think this is fair and that’s not the worst part. If one of your older brothers or sisters have gone or are at Tech you are automatically in. That doesn’t leave much room for the other 320 spots. There are three drawings. The first is in February, the second is in May, and the last is in August. There are three drawings so that if some students change their mind or can’t go to Tech their spots can be filled.
In February the letters were sent out whether you made Tech. As everyone was getting their letters, I didn’t get mine. I was so upset and scared. I hated the idea of going to Cape. I just did not like the idea of me going to that school. Sure I’d be with all my friends but it’s just not what I wanted. No offense to them though, I love them. Then the day before my birthday I got a letter in the mail from Sussex Tech. It turns out that my letter, by accident was sent out later than everyone else’s. That didn’t matter, what mattered was I got in.
Middle School is only three years of your life. Then you have to make a decision about what high school you want to go to. Whether you go to a Technical High School like I am or a regular high school like all my friends are, it will be an accomplishment. You have made it past elementary school and middle school and are now in the last mandatory school of your life. Getting into Sussex Tech was a major personal accomplishment for me.