4 Opinion GOLDEN FLEECE • April 28, 2017

To Be Honest...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Prom: A
Night to
Remember?
by Caroline Bowers
Editor, Golden Fleece

I’ll be brutally honest with

you…
Prom shouldn’t be treated as
the big deal that we all make it out
to be.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Of
course I had fun at prom, but one
Respect in general is lacking in classrooms
single night shouldn’t be built up
as the defining moment of your In the past, youth were put in their place. Instead of generously given.
high school experience. spanking, students now are given a piece of paper--a Take for example: a student receives no punishment
Like the majority of my referral, or no punishment at all. In the classroom today, for an assignment that is a day late because he/she had
friends, I got my hair done, there’s much more leeway in terms of teachers’ more casual an extracurricular event the night before. The teacher is
makeup done, and took cliche relationships with their students, paving way for faltering being understanding. However, there is a big difference
pictures in my friend’s backyard respect. between this example and a blatant choice to avoid
with the rest of my prom This disrespect can become a two-way street, school work. This discrepancy can be considered
group. Afterwards, we headed
downtown, had dinner, went to including both students and teachers. disrespectful because the freedom was taken
prom, danced, and then went to Disrespect can include anything from using Staff Editorials advantage of-- herein lies the root of the issue.
Cookout for a milkshake. curse words in the hall, talking down to someone are the Regardless of the classroom environment, there
It was a fun-filled night. Yet, in just because they’re younger than you, or rolling majority should be an understood basis of respect. With this
total, this single night had a price your eyes behind a teacher’s back. opinion of standard, there is a mutual expectation of respect
tag of nearly $300. And my own Granted, the casual relationship isn’t the real the Editorial formed between students and teachers.
prom experience was even on the
cheap end. Some girls’ dresses problem; in fact, it serves a beneficial purpose in Board and Despite differing backgrounds and upbringings
alone cost $400. Is one night creating a more comfortable learning environment. stands as a depending on surroundings and conditions, and
However, the problem arises when the leeway is voice of the no matter what elementary or middle school,
really worth that steep price?
Think of every movie you’ve taken advantage of and a boundary is crossed. Golden Fleece public, private, or charter school someone went
seen that is set in a high school. We get it: different teachers create different newspaper. to before, Roberson has taught personal and
You have to admit that at least atmospheres in their classrooms based on their interpersonal respect since freshman year. One of
50 percent of the movies you’re personal teaching styles. This may be confusing to the very first things we went over in those isolated
thinking of right now involve
a prom of some sorts. Our some students who have one teacher who is more lenient two halls was Ram PRIDE.
perception of prom has become on profanity and another teacher who has a more strict set We’re right there with you. It’s difficult to live by a
heavily influenced by the media’s of rules. seemingly pointless acronym. But that’s not the point. The
portrayal of it as the “perfect” Think of a class where a teacher often jokes with point is that there has been a standard set for us as students
night. students, extends deadlines, and allows for open since our first days as Rams that we should be expected to
Even before the dress is conversation. Lots of room for freedom, right? It’s all fun follow no matter if an individual teacher mandates…
bought, the promposals begin. and games when we have a teacher like this, but it can or doesn’t.
Someone comes up with a
new and ridiculous promposal quickly become a problem when we abuse the freedoms so
idea seemingly every second
of the day, which is constantly
documented all over social
media. There’s so much pressure
associated with prom that it’s
almost lost its initial purpose, Physical education is crucial Mandatory physical education
which is a night of carefree fun.
We’ve created a cultural component of high school causes more harm than help
obsession with these often
elaborate and insane promposals,
going as far as comparing them to by Ashlyn Blakely Write to Ashlyn at ablakely. by Simone Tezzo Write to Simone at stezzo.
marriage proposals. Promposals Staff Writer communications@gmail.com Staff Writer communications@gmail.com
have become a competition for
the most unique and creative idea
rather than focusing on the actual High school students reacting by replacing the school There has been much goes. If a student were to
act of asking someone in the first should be required to take at diet to more organic, healthy discussion on the topic of get injured at school, the
place. least one semester of Physical options. However, many haven’t physical education being possibility of a lawsuit
So why is prom such a big deal Education every school year. considered increasing the required in schools for just exists. And it can get very
for so many high school seniors This requirement could decrease number of years of mandatory one year, as it is currently problematic for students
and juniors across the country? instances of obesity, increase P.E. classes. This could provide a for most schools. Based on with certain conditions to
Why do we, as a society, treasure student classroom skills and way for students to reach the 60 my experiences and other be susceptible to injuries,
this single night so greatly? decrease stress in students as a minutes of physical education sources on the topic, one or even death. According
The answer is because it serves whole. that is needed everyday

.
year of required to CBS News, a study in

Versus
as a rite of passage for us as high Currently the requirement is and could be beneficial P.E. is enough. 2009 showed that student
schoolers. We gather in one one semester during a student’s to the health and obesity Many high injuries in P.E. classes
place, put on our best clothes, freshman year of school, with issue in the United States. school students from 1997 increased by
and celebrate the end of an era -- additional semester classes being Whether playing Editorials are trying to 150 percent in just 10
that of our high school years. We optional. basketball, lifting weights, represent the take as many years.
view this one night as a defining It has been a complaint by or doing other small viewpoints challenging Some aspects of P.E.
moment in our high school some students and a relief to activities, P.E. classes of individual academic courses can also be embarrassing
experience, one that almost others that physical education provide a way for students as possible, for some students. Fitness
authors and
defines us as a person in that is a class that doesn’t help a lot to get some exercise. which can usually tests like the pacer test,
moment in time. and doesn’t require much effort. According to the centers not those of
make it tough or push-up and sit-up tests
However, prom can never live However, by increasing student of disease control and the Golden
even impossible are easier for students
up to the expectations that we and participation and teaching units prevention, physical Fleece Media to fit in any who are in better athletic
our generation as a whole have set that students are more interested education classes increase Group or its “fun” classes. shape. However, for
for it. in, it can increase participation test scores and students’ staff. So if P.E. were students who aren’t in as
Sure, go to prom, dress up in and be more effective as a means focus. It is proven that mandatory for all great of shape or are more
whatever you choose to wear, and for exercising. exercising pumps blood four years, just overweight, these tests
have fun. I will, too. But don’t Teaching specific units of each to the brain and helps students imagine how hard it can be rather grueling.
take it too seriously. Don’t set sport in P.E. should continue to think more in-depth therefore would be on a student With many other students
outrageous expectations for your provide a way for students to find increasing test scores and focus in who is trying to take as around watching, it’s easy
prom night. what sports they are interested the classroom. many advanced classes as for some of these students
In the long run, it’s not in and the different skill sets that Granted an argument against possible to even fit that to feel embarrassed and be
worth the stress we create for they are gifted with. This can students taking P.E. every year is into his/her schedule. the target for bullying.
ourselves. Enjoy the night and even encourage students to start the fact that it doesn’t help GPAs With a requirement of So overall, P.E. being
its spontaneity. Stop fretting over playing sports on a daily basis as much as an AP class would. four years, P.E. might offered all four years
your hairstyle or snapping the outside of school, helping the However, having a requirement to even have to take the would cause a lot of
perfect Instagram picture for later. average student get even more take this class would do the same place of a more important problems for students who
In 50 years, what do you exercise. thing to everyone’s GPA, and and subsequently more are trying to get in more
want to remember about prom? According to the American it would be a class that doesn’t benefiting class, which challenging classes and
Which will matter more -- your Heart Organization, statistics require much homework. That in could prove harmful. may not be completely
dress or the memories you show almost a 33 percent obesity itself would reduce some stress Issues with liability in beneficial to many
made with your friends? Look rate in children or teenagers. during the evenings for students. schools have occurred as students or the school.
for and treasure the minuscule Schools have already started far as physical education
yet extraordinary moments that
occur in all of the hubbub of
prom night.

Golden Fleece
The Golden Fleece is printed by BH
Media Group in Bristol, TN. Opinions
expressed in the columns, cartoons, Contact Us
photo illustrations, and letters that GoldenFleeceMedia Editorial Staff Staff:
appear in the Golden Fleece are the @gmail.com Official newspaper of TC Roberson High School, 250 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC, 28803.
views of the individual writers and artists. Diana Childress Amy Webster Kayla Jystad
The Golden Fleece is Jay Trull Ashlyn Blakely Kennedy Rucker
All unsigned editorials reflect the a registered member Caroline Bowers Iris Howell Caroline Hemphill Madi Beddingfield
opinions of the Golden Fleece staff. of MCT Campus and
Editor, Golden Fleece Caroline Wenzl Madison Saenger
Golden FleeceProducer,
Tribune Media Services.
As a public forum for student Xenna Smith
All images not taken Willie Yang Catherine Rand Riley Williamson
expression, the students determine specifically by the Kira Ranieri Mia Mendez
the contents of the publication without GF Current
TC Roberson High School
Golden Fleece staffAsheville, North Carolina
Publisher, Golden Fleece Ellie Phillips Nathan Trees
prior review. To receive permission for members are used with
reproduction, please write the editor. expressed permission
Emily Fine Olivia Soosaar
Subscription cost is $20 per year. A by the original owner.
Jamie Cummings Grace Loizzo Mollie Brewster
Grace Beddingfield Sergio Padilla
single copy is free to all students, Adviser: Mark Harrison Josie Clayton Simone Tezzo
Editor, GF Online Director of Photography Yanal Ammar
faculty, staff, and visitors to the school.
Additional copies are $.25 each. Sports Director
© Copyright 2017 by the Golden Fleece Media Group. All Rights Reserved.