The magic number 18

by Sylvia Yu

Remember when were all little children dreaming of the day we would turn eighteen and magically transform from teenagers into adults? We felt as if a more mature version of us would emerge like a butterfly from a cocoon and we would suddenly be able to vote, get inked and pierced, and buy packs of cigarettes to go with your scratchers. However, as many seniors are celebrating their eighteenth birthdays, they find that it is not as glamorous as it is hyped up to be.

Senior Joann Chau recently celebrated her birthday on January 26 but found that turning eighteen felt no different than the rest of her birthdays. “There’s nothing [different]. I think it’s the same thing. I still live under my parents’ house,” Chau said. Chau celebrated her milestone birthday by opening her own bank account. Chau is not politically involved yet, but plans to vote for the upcoming election. I can go into Dave & Buster’s and gamble at some casinos now, according to Chau.

Senior Dorothy Hoang celebrated her birthday on January 18 with a dinner out with her family. Turning eighteen felt no different than being seventeen, according to Hoang. Like Chau, Hoang also opened a checking and savings account at the bank.

Sophomore Alex Pham is currently fifteen years old but is excited to turn eighteen. I look forward to getting my driver’s license for real and being able to vote, according to Pham. It feels like you can really contribute to what’s happening in society [when you turn eighteen and can vote],” Pham said. Before Pham turns eighteen, he hopes to be able to tour Europe and get into a good college.

Society has made the journey into adulthood a rather glamorous occasion and has placed a special importance in turning eighteen, but in reality, to most, it is just another birthday with another candle atop your cake. “[Turning] eighteen is no big deal. I can’t wait until I’m 21!” Hoang said.