WOODBURY — Stepping out of Nonnewaug High School’s doors at the end of the day, one would think they just walked into Talladega Nights and every driver’s mindset is “if you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Many students are familiar with the sound of diesel trucks racing out of the parking lot. Some feel the anxiety and rush as everyone panics to make it out before the wave one busses leave, and others watch the soccer and field hockey kids race down to the fields for practices and games.
With all this chaos and stress flying around, drivers want to be out of there as quickly as possible. To save the students and staff from potential car crashes, Nonnewaug administrators decided to do something.
“Since speeding is an issue around the school,” says principal Mykal Kuslis, “especially with the blind spots around the gym and with kids walking down to the fields, we did think it was necessary to add a little something there just to maintain speed.”
Referring to the three new speed bumps in the back parking lot, Kuslis decided to have those installed, including a change to the speed bump in the front parking lot that decreased its height.
“Adding in the other ones I think is just a necessary precaution to help people be safer in the parking lot,” says science teacher and JV boys soccer coach Joshua Kornblut, “especially when you have a bunch of young drivers.”
Not all students are a fan of the three new speed bumps in the back lot, including junior Grace Rubacha.
“The ones in the back are not necessary,” says Rubacha. “Just let us get out of school; it’s already taking too long.”
There have been many positive reactions to the shaved down speed bump in the front parking lot, which previously used to make some vehicles bottom out due to its height.
“I think shaving down the one in the front is a good idea,” says junior Ada Gorka. “It would make the entire car shake.”
Many agree with Gorka that the front speed bump was too aggressive.
“I’m happy they lowered the one speed bump [coming into the main student parking lot],” says Kornblut. “Even people who were going super slow would sometimes bottom out on that one.”
“I think it helped everyone get into school in a more efficient manner,” says Rubacha. “A lot of people are a lot less stressed about damaging their cars and I’m really happy they did that.
There were two main reasons for the adjustments with all the speed bumps.
“The reason we shaved it down was because of the [Woodbury FFA Alumni] Car Show, and one of the things they had asked, because a lot of people are bringing lowriders and fancy stuff, there were some issues in last year’s car show where peoples cars were bottoming out, so they had asked if she could shave that speed bump down,” explained Kuslis.
The other reason behind all the changes was to maintain the safety of the student drivers, athletes, and staff.
“We want to encourage them to practice safe driving and go a little slower and not have any accidents,” says Kornblut.
