We see it most obviously in chapel, in the Dining Hall, in the Forum. It’s laced into our schedules, giving preference to older students in course selections. It finds its way into our social lives, too; I have witnessed few close friendships formed in spite of large age gaps.

At Groton, seniority manifests itself in allowing older students to cut younger students in the lunch line and sit in exclusive “senior sections” in the Dining Hall, chapel, and Schoolhouse.

Groton relies on seniority. It provides order; we know where to sit and what classes to take based on our forms. The prefect system forces younger students to respect seniors, and Sixth Formers are taught to keep their doors open to the Lower Schoolers around them. Seniors join a time-honored tradition of eating atop a platform in the Dining Hall and listening to Chapel Talks from regal pews every morning. At the start of September, a fresh batch of seniors steps into supporting roles on the Groton stage: taking attendance at school events, providing an interface between students and dorm heads, and encouraging team members on the playing fields.

But the power of seniority has gone too far. Giving seniors preference in course selection is one thing; they’ve spent years fulfilling requirements and are running out of time to choose electives. Cutting in line just because of your year, however, is rude. Lines only function when diners wait in the order in which they arrive.

The idea of having a central study and hangout spot in the Schoolhouse for each form is a nice one based in form community. But when these sections are used to intimidate and exclude members of other forms, they contradict Groton’s policy of inclusion. There is no problem with having a designated place for seniors to congregate during conference, but if a Fourth Former wants to sit on the round green couches by Gammons on a quiet Sunday morning, it is not a senior’s place to kick them out.

Sixth Formers deserve special privileges by the time they take on prefect positions, but it’s wrong to abuse them. Seniors, enjoy your ten-to-twelve, your platform, your pews; you’ve earned it. But you probably remember a time when you were cut in line, and chances are, you weren’t pleased. Don’t use your past exploitation as an excuse to continue our abhorrent tradition. Don’t let the power get to your heads. Just remember, a year from now you’ll be back at the bottom of the food chain, and the Golden Rule will apply.