Class Division Must Stop

Hayley's Comment: An Editor's Column

“V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, that’s our Newport battle cry!” chanted the freshmen as some seniors booed their efforts at the Homecoming Kick Off Assembly. As the seventh and eighth graders rose to take their turn at the battle cry, more obnoxious noises of discouragement erupted from the cluster of seniors at the opposing end of the bleachers.  Sitting among my peers, I felt ashamed of the ill treatment of the underclassmen. This incident illustrates a long-standing, petty division between the classes.
As seniors, we deserve to feel experienced and accomplished. We endured three years of required classes, limited electives and jumping through hoops to arrive at this point. This should not prompt such hostile disrespect toward the succeeding classes. The class of 2010 bears an especial amount of responsibility to maintain civility while two schools coalesce. I urge the seniors, my class, to overcome any superiority complex or status fixation in order to lead NHS and NPA with the spirit of Cub unity. Cease the unnecessary negative rants about sharing the West Campus and condescending remarks directed at NPA students.

Remember Dr. Seuss’ wise words, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

So, Newport, Newport (NHS and NPA alike), don’t be shy. Stand and give your battle cry. We won’t boo you this time.