Onnika Moore

Editorial Cartoon

-EDITORIAL-

It has been announced that Gretna East High School will not have a homecoming court since there is no senior class. Traditionally, students at most schools vote seniors for positions like homecoming king and queen. Instead, the school’s administration decided to select nine students, three from each grade, to be honored as Griffin Spirit Leaders, but this homecoming court replacement does not provide students with equal opportunities.  

The point system that was created for the award, gives athletes and popular kids an advantage over other students. Not every student feels inclined to join a sport or club, and not every student has the time to do so. Students are being robbed of showcasing their involvement in the community because the application to become a Griffin Spirit Leader only allows them to only list school activities. 

It excludes students who are not in an extracurricular school activity but are heavily involved outside of school in the community. Students who have jobs, volunteer, act in a local theater, participate in club sports that aren’t offered at the school or other activities that aren’t school-sanctioned are unfairly, and presumably unintentionally, penalized by not being included in the point system that has been set forth for this award. While these activities do not directly benefit the school sports teams or clubs, they are very beneficial to students’ character and spirit, as well as the community. 

The current application, which can be picked up in the main office, is also not fair to students who were not granted a position in the activities that they wanted. For example, students who auditioned for show choir, one act or musical and did not make the cut, get put at a disadvantage, but not from their lack of trying.  Similarly, students who signed up to be on student council, or any other election based club or organization, but weren’t voted in, also face the same disservice. That is not to say that schools should not have selective groups, but with the addition of Griffin Spirit Leaders it does feel like an unfair advantage for those who make it.

Aside from being a member of a school extracurricular activity or sport, many teachers have not fully formed their opinions of all of their students yet since it’s so early in the year. The only students teachers have truly heard from so far are students who feel comfortable talking out loud or who are popular with teachers. It is easy for sophomores and juniors who can easily go to a former teacher and have them sign the two required teacher signature spots, but what about the freshmen who still barely know their current teachers?

With its current criteria, the Griffin Spirit Award doesn’t create an even playing field for all students.  However, the traditional homecoming royalty at most schools has the same problem, it becomes a popularity contest instead of an activity that allows students to come together as a school.

That being said, the Griffin Spirit Leaders award could turn into a more equal-opportunity award with a few changes. Students should be able to include what they do outside of school to gain points on the initial application. For example, students could be awarded points based on if they have a job in the community, do volunteer work or play a club sport. Of course, the activities would have to be verified, but they all have a positive impact on our community and they should be recognized, too. 

The idea that administration had of ditching a popularity contest like homecoming royalty in favor of an award that recognizes students is one to be commended. The application process just needs to be updated to be more inclusive. It’s a brand new idea, and just like people, ideas and processes can always be adapted and made better.