Are Upper School boys breaking the Honor Code every day?
I watch boys walk into the cafeteria at breakfast, during break to get a snack, or even during lunch to get seconds, and almost every one of those boys doesn’t log in for his food. Not paying for food is not following the Honor Code, so one may ask what really is the Honor Code?
St. Christopher’s has been operating by this code since its founding under the beliefs of Dr. Chamberlayne in 1911. The Honor Code teaches boys not to lie, cheat, or steal. Many alumni have stressed how much the Honor Code has benefited them in their jobs and relationships later in life.
I have only been at St. Christopher’s for one year (not including my one year here for fifth grade) and I can vouch for how important the Honor Code is in my life. I would never have thought that I could leave my backpack with a laptop in it outside for a couple hours and find it in the same spot with the laptop in it when I came back. The boys at St. Christopher’s are a different breed than other boys when they go to college because we know the right thing to do, the honorable way.
Although many boys would claim not be offenders of the Honor Code, many actually are and simply don’t acknowledge it. What most people don’t understand is they are stealing.
Not paying for extra food might seem different to stealing a soda from 7-11, but in reality it is the same thing. Every couple weeks or so you’ll hear Dean of Students Billy Abbott or Disciplinarian Greg Tune yell, “Login for your food”, but most people don’t acknowledge it. If a store clerk at Libbie Market told you to pay for a drink would you just walk out without paying for it? The answer to this question should be no for all individuals who go to St. Christopher’s.
I hope that maybe by reading this article that boys will remember to log in for their food even though it might take a minute out of your lunch time. I also hope that next time you decide not to pay for your food that you will remember this question, what is the honorable thing to do?