This year marks sixty years of Kelly Walsh students bleeding green and raging with Trojan pride. The 60-year history of KW has led to the establishment of certain traditions. One tradition in particular that has become somewhat of a hot topic is the idea of seniority in the student section at athletic events.
The school year is now over a month old and Trojan fans have showed out for volleyball and football games. The student section has played a key role in creating a spirited atmosphere. Every pass, hit, tackle, and touchdown is met with cheers from the students who show up to support the KW teams. The student section personifies spirit and, most of the time, sportsmanship as well.
This year has unfortunately witnessed a little chaos and controversy in an unspoken rule that has been practiced for years. Underclassmen have been asked to move back a few rows to make way for seniors, even if they arrived earlier and secured front-row spots. This type of question can cause commotion and upset those who are asked to move. So does the idea of seniority affect the underclassmen of Kelly Walsh?
“I think seniority should exist, but not totally. I think seniors should be up front but the rest is first come, first served. Personally, I haven’t been asked to move. I’ve noticed that a lot of people want to be up front just because they are older, but I have also noticed that people want to be up there because it is louder,” senior Olivia Lavin said.
The phrase “first come, first served” is often used when underclassmen are asked to give up their spots for seniors who arrive late. So what happens when students cannot be on time but still want to cheer on their fellow Trojans from the front row?
“I don’t agree with first come, first served because there are many students who do after-school sports and aren’t able to get to sporting events right away like the others that can,” said senior Cobey Pexton who just finished his last season of golf and he has missed out on multiple opportunities to be in the student section.
In any sport or competition, sportsmanship is vital to have a fair and conflict-free atmosphere.
According to the The Wyoming High School Activities Association Handbook “Students’ habits and reaction as spectators determine the quality of sportsmanship which reflects upon the reputation of the school.”
The reputation of Kelly Walsh is sacred, and the heart of the school comes from a community full of pride and spirit. But what if there is bickering amongst students within the same section? What is the status of sportsmanship then?
Faculty and staff have noticed this spirit and tradition of seniority throughout the years.
“As a coach, I have mostly seen the older students in the front of the crowd over the years. I feel like it is difficult because sometimes our crowds are big. I think the problem we are facing stems from the fact that not the same students are in the crowd every time, so students who are there every game get frustrated because students who aren’t always there take away their ‘spot,’” teacher and coach Beth Williams said.
Williams went on to explain that establishing an actual rule would constitute enforcement of some sort.
“I have no issue with having juniors and seniors up front. We can make the ‘rule’ but if there isn’t an adult that would be willing to enforce it, I am not sure how anything would change,” Williams said.
Most high schools across the country have designated student sections for students to cheer in. And some even have the rules written down as far as seniority goes.
For example, Pierce Public Schools, a high school in Pierce, Nebraska set expectations in writing for their student section. The first rule for their student section etiquette is “Seniority.” This rule exists to guarantee that every student gets their chance to be in the front. Freshman understand to just wait, the time will come.
“I had been asked to move when I was younger, but I understood and let the older kids do their thing because I knew I’d get to do my thing when I was in their shoes. I have also noticed many, many times that people up front don’t cheer and when trying to get them to move, they refuse. They are the ones who dress to impress but won’t cheer, it’s aggravating,” said Pexton.
So, should there be a set rule that seniority has priority? For years it seems to have been an unspoken rule that everyone just new. Or should the student section be like any other general admission even where the mentality is first come first served?
While opinions vary, the the truth remains that the unspoken rule of seniority has always been part of the student section culture at Kelly Walsh.
