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Playwickian.com>Editorials

March 2001

Look at it our way

Change. A simple word with a seemingly simple definition. If you are going to a different destination than previously planned, you change your direction. If the clothes you are wearing are tattered and torn, you change your outfit. In these simple cases the dilemma was realized, and appropriate action was taken to rectify it.

But these scenarios involve only an individual choice, not a collective decision. In the case of a co-curricular recognition assembly (formerly known as the pep rally), change affects more than one person’s life.

Two-thousand students are herded into Gymnasium #3 for a prescribed double-dose of school spirit. Students, being unresponsive to the usual introduction to each member of a varsity sports team, appear to be jaded and unwilling to participate. Thus, administrators - who feel they’ve done everything they possibly could - conclude that this generation of students just doesn’t have the ability to possess and express school spirit.

The administration is wrong.

Times have changed. Greater opportunities for the music, art and scholastic programs and a rise in school populations have given students other activities and, hence, other interests in which to invest their spirit.

This being said, why haven’t pep rallies evolved with the interests of the student body? Many attempts had been made to make pep rallies more enjoyable, still even these have been aimed at the wrong target. Students can only take so many “Tug O’ Wars”.

In February, five Playwickian editors held up large, paper signs that conveyed their disapproval for the outdated manner in which Neshaminy’s pep rallies had been run. Although amusing, these signs were not meant to attract negative attention. In fact, the humor that was used was largely satirical - creating a powerful combination of politics and laughter (like the election skits of Saturday Night Live).

Protesting leads to change - a simple action with a seemingly simple reaction. However, with protesting comes the outcry of people who don’t understand the viewpoint of the protesters.
To make things perfectly clear, there was no opposition to sports teams, cheerleaders or gym night captains. There is a great deal of respect for these groups, for it is clearly known that a great deal of time and energy is spent to make them succeed. Instead, the protest was about the fact that they were the only groups represented.

Sports teams are not the only groups working to the bone. For example, Future Business Leaders of America spend hours upon hours preparing for their competitions. Musical theater players stay at school until 7:00 p.m. rehearsing their scenes, and then go home and practice even more.

What do these groups receive other than a side-note on the announcements or a casual mention at a pep rally?

It is the wish of the five Playwickian editors that all co-curriculars get equal consideration. It only takes four minutes for the musical to demonstrate a dance number or five minutes for the Art Club to play an interactive game of Pictionary with a few members of the audience.

These activities all take time. Therefore, pep rallies should be lengthened. For something of this magnitude to work, compromises must be made. It is impossible for more representation to be successful without more time.

Some of the students and faculty involved in the pep rally were hurt that everyone in the stands did not appreciate their recognition. In that case, it is suggested that those few try to imagine a pep rally on the other extreme where a championship varsity sports team goes unrecognized, and you’re watching a five minute presentation of the Future Problem Solvers - who are three and ten this season.

That is what it feels like to be underappreciated.