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Special Treatment / Special Privilege
Fairness should be for all students
By Shelley Nelson
Do certain students have the right to be treated differently because of race and gender and/or popularity?
As a student of DHS I have witnessed, on a number of occasions, many different athletic groups getting away with many things just because they happen to think they are greater than other members of the student body. Just the past few weeks, this has been brought back to my attention.
For example, the cheerleaders and color guard had a deal to share the field at homecoming, but when the time came, the cheerleaders took over most of the field, relegating the color guard off to the side. Their response? "We've worked harder for this than they have. They don't deserve anything." Another example of the privileged group taking over the underprivileged.
This has caused me to think of all the other times certain groups of students overpowered other groups because of "rank on the food chain". For example, students leaving for games or meetings and not making up the work, or students who flash their smiles and their jersey numbers and just walk out of a classroom without being stopped. Athletes also seem to look down on certain academic activities even when some of their own team members, whom they should be supporting, are involved with those activities- like membership in leadership or honors classes or band.
I think that every member of the DHS student body should be treated fairly and should not be judged based on atheltic ability or popularity standards. Some athletes are using the recent events involving the "no party" policy as a way to "prove" they have no special privilege; however, the policy notwithstanding, thse same athletes do get "rank" on campus.
I'm not trying to bad mouth any athletic groups at the high school, but I think that it is unfair to other students to be pushed aside because they are not one of the school's shining stars with names in the paper and a SCAL championship to boast about.
Perhaps the school can help ALL students to get a fair shake and teachers who also advise athletic teams should work even harder to assure this happens.
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Colorguard, a sport or an art? Actually, it is a combination of the two. Due to the fact that colorguard may be included in the next Olympics as a sport, the art/sport is gaining popularity.
Colorguard started when someone realized that the combination of military drill (marching) and the use of their flags, sabres, and rifles had potential to be an awesome sight. Over the years men and women of all ages have started to loosen their bodies and incorporate dance into a "show". During the winter months and into spring, performers and instructors create shows, and compete as a Winterguard. Shows are put to music, and performers combine their bodies, facial expression, eguipment(flags, riles, and sabres), and minimal props to create a show. The shows are meticulously picked over, and made "clean"(put together) with the help of talented performers, and dedicated instructors.
With ever evolving shows, performers compete with other groups in their class. They are judged and recieve scores based on their performance. Judges also make tapes to help groups improve trouble spots over their next weeks practice. The Winterguard season is over after Championships. There are many different classes of championships, the world, national, and regional are just a few.
The Colorguard experience itself is like no other. The performers are in constant motion for multiple hours of intense practice. Practices can be more than 12 hours long, and require a person who doesn't give up, and who can put a smile on their face and perform when they haven't had sleep for 24 hours. The performers have to learn to break down walls, and open themselves to criticism which will help improve their talent. Physical tolerance is needed to put together running, dancing, and equipment work at the same time.
Although Colorguard is by definition a sport due to its physical and competitive aspects, it is also considered an art. The performers use the elements of expression, and their equipment to tell a story. The music, and scenery set the stage, and the performer completes the show.
Colorguard is an awesome experience to the performer, and the spectator. As Colorguard continues to become more popular, remember the performers and instructors who make this beatiful art possible.
Author's name omitted by request
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