The Milford High School Field House was packed to the brim with loud, energetic students, for the 2011 homecoming pep assembly. The festivities of the assembly had taken place like always. And then, the Homecoming Court was called forward, grade by grade. First, the freshmen stepped out in front of their whole school. Next, the sophomore representatives began their march.
The cheers that should have been heard were not. Seemingly, out of nowhere, a different sound rose out of the sophomores’ stands. Instead of positive cheering, booing could be heard throughout the entire field house, as it overpowered all other cheers. During the Homecoming assembly this year, one main thing was missing: support within the student body.
“The ‘boos’ erupted and it was kind of an astonishing moment,” said sophomore leadership student Molly Stander. “I did not know what was going on and it was just a complete surprise,” described Stander. When this booing happened no one was prepared for it. Nor did anyone know how to react.
Despite the disappointing pep assembly, both sophomore representatives participated in the rest of the festivities that day. Exposed and still raw from their experience at the assembly, they put themselves at risk for experiencing the same saddening situation, by attending the parade and football game.
Yet both persevered through their sadness and grief. All of Milford High School should look at the sophomore representatives as examples, for they have shown the entire school what it truly means to persevere.
“There was not an authentic Court. They were all jokes,” said Stander, expressing her disappointment in the voting for representatives. Being a part of homecoming court used to be an honor, but now students are being elected for degrading reasons.
Personally, I do not see the point in electing someone just to embarrass them. Why would anyone purposely want to bring sadness or harm upon another person?
These festivities are meant to show school spirit, and unite the whole school as one supportive student body. So, what happened at the assembly was extremely disappointing.
Although the booing may have only come from the sophomore stands, the blame for lack of intra-school support lies upon all of us. How is anyone supposed to feel comfortable in front of their student body after this event transpired?
In the future, what as a student body can we do? We need to be nice in general. If someone is different, or something happens that differs from what one may like, does not grant any person or group of people the right to upset or humiliate another student.
“It starts with one,” stated Leadership Teacher Kathy Olgeirsson. “We need to reward people for doing good for others.”
Next hour, passing time, or maybe even next week, something will happen and a choice will have to be made. What will be chosen? The choice that puts someone down, or the supporting choice? I hope that the choice that is made is the one that is beneficial for others.
Our school has made efforts to prevent bullying, yet bullying has still continued. I know one thing for certain: we as a school need to boost up and encourage all of our peers. If not, Milford will not be a school where anyone can feel safe to be themselves within. The only people that can stop bullying are the students themselves.