As the next Rider vs. Old High week kicks into gear Raiders need to remember to keep the rivalries clean and safe. This year Raiders are being asked to keep the rivalry classy and on the field. When we think of rivalry we shouldn’t think of taunting the opposing school.
As head football coach Jim Garfield says, “Rivalries aren’t about vandalism; they’re about things that go on during the games, pep rallies, and it’s about drawing teams together.”
It’s never good to be proud of destroying other peoples’ property. Vandalism eventually leads to destruction, and we need to keep the safety of our students in mind first.
“If you are out there doing what you think is a silly prank but then someone catches you, it could cause a problem between people involved,” principal Judy McDonald said.
Security officers have already gotten a head start on keeping both school grounds intact and free of any pranks. At some point rivalry got so out of hand in doing things that were very destructive and cost a lot of money to repair that extra security has been taking proper precautions to keep these things from happening again.
There will always be consequences to follow if students insist on destruction or pranks of rival schools. Students need to realize they should strive to be the classier people.
“Ten years from now people are going to think ‘hmm that wasn’t as funny as I thought it was’ because some things are even embarrassing to the people involved when they look back on it,” McDonald said.
Student leaders also support the Keep it Classy push this year.
“Instead of wasting your energy taunting the other school, come help better our school and encourage our football players,” senior class president Tiffany Miller said.
Miller’s not alone in her views.
“Worry about Rider, not about the other school. Better Rider and make us look good,” senior class treasurer Taylor Caswell said.
In the end it’s up to students to do the right thing.
“Rider students can still be classy without having to use those tactics to win. Don’t stoop to that level because we’re better than that,” sophomore class president Georgia DuBose said.