June 11, 2010 — A teenager’s eighteenth birthday is a turning point in his or her life. As a legal adult, an eighteen year old is met with new opportunities to take on. However, these privileges can sometimes be a burden. Senior Eva Tashchyan listed buying cigarettes, going to the Morongo, moving out, and voting as some of the many things she has the freedom to do now that she is legally an adult. “Cigarettes are a big no-no, the Morongo will be one of the first places I plan on going, moving out won’t be happening anytime soon, and voting is something I will definitely be part of,” Tashchyan said. “But the most memorable thing I’ve done as an adult is open up my own bank account. It’s every girl’s dream.” She is especially eager for the right to vote; her parents wouldn’t vote and she has always wanted the opportunity. “When the next election comes up, I will be so excited to fill out a ballot, partially because I was so motivated to do so by Mr. Doom,” Tashchyan said. As the youngest of her friends, senior Lara Kumjian eagerly waits for the day she will be turning 18. Kumjian is anxious for her upcoming birthday because she will gain more independence and have the ability for her voice to be heard. “Once I turn 18, I expect to make my own decisions. I don’t want anybody to hold my hand and walk me through tough times,” Kumjian said. Although she is excited to become an adult, Kumjian is not bothered knowing that many of her classmates are already 18. “At the end of the day, we are all going to be older so it doesn’t matter. It’s better to be younger than everybody else, anyway!” Kumjian said. “One of the positive things about being 18 is that I was able to get into certain comedy clubs and shows that I couldn’t go into before. And I could even help a band mate, at the time, sell some cymbals at guitar centers,” said senior William Shaler. Shaler enjoys that curfew does not affect him anymore, and he can walk the streets after 10 p.m. without having to worry about getting a ticket — although he does occasionally get stopped by an officer and asked to show identification. Shaler does see difference in the way older adults treat him, but he sees no change in the way his peers treat him now that he is considered an adult. “Personally, though, I see that some people are more or less mature. Naturally, the age is really unimportant,” Shaler said.