School spirit doesn't have to involve mockery

Published: February 27, 2010

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To the editor: I am writing this letter to comment on the recent situation at Lourdes Regional regarding the suspension of several students.

I am a 2007 graduate of Lourdes and I learned of these suspensions through the updates and groups created on Facebook by other Lourdes alumni. My initial reaction upon reading comments was that the administration overreacted to a group of students who dressed as farmers to mock students of the opposing team. However, after reading articles in various local newspapers, I came to realize that this situation really has nothing to do with how the students dressed; it is simply a matter of right and wrong.

While I was a student at Lourdes, it was common for students to dress in ridiculous costumes and outfits in mockery of the opposing team or in support of our team. This included all manner of things and, yes, we did once dress like farmers. Not only did we dress in mockery of our opponents, but our student section often chanted rude sayings back and forth to the opponent's student section. Dressing up this way was fun, and sometimes the best part about going to sporting events. I cannot remember any rule being passed to put a stop to this, nor do I remember hearing about any complaints being brought to the administration about us. That being said, I do believe that if there had been complaints, we would have been told to stop, and would have been punished if we did not.

From my understanding, the Lourdes administration received a complaint about the behavior of their students at a sporting event. Thus, the students were told that they could not dress to mock their opponents. The suspended students then deliberately disobeyed the school and dressed to mock their opponents anyway. Therefore, they were punished. These students were not punished because they dressed like farmers; they were punished because they deliberately and knowingly disobeyed the instruction of their school administration.

I don't know of any adult or teacher who would not punish a child for disobeying an order. It is as simple as that. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech or student rights. When you go to any kind of school function in support of your school, you represent that school.

Therefore, Lourdes is well within its rights to dictate what you can and cannot wear to school events. It may not be fun and it may not be what you want, but it's the way it has always been.

With all that said, I find the reactions of alumni and parents particularly disappointing and disturbing. These students were told not to do something - they did it anyway. Students should know that there are consequences to disobeying rules. What kind of message are these parents sending their children by saying that it's OK to disregard authority and do whatever they want? There is also a Facebook group created by an alum entitled "I support the school spirit at Lourdes even if the administration doesn't." Are you guys completely missing the point?

Asking students to be respectful to their opponents and to respect school rules is not diminishing school spirit. No one is stopping students from dressing in ridiculous outfits that encourage and cheer on the Lourdes teams; they are simply asking that you refrain from dressing in ridiculous outfits that mock the opposing team. And, yes, I am aware that opposing teams also mock Lourdes students. Well, show them that you're better than that. Lourdes students do not need to stoop so low as to tastelessly mock other students; you can support your team, have fun and win games without having to dress like a farmer (or any other stereotype).

Sincerely,

Christina Leitzel

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