Casting Crowns: Junior Crowns Cause Friction
Madelyn Wasden
September 3, 2010
Filed under Student Life
For over fifteen years, the seniors of North Augusta High School have upheld the customary act of decorating crowns to sport at pep rallies throughout their senior year. The crowns are a display of the seniors’ hard-earned status and a reminder that they, indeed, are in their final year of high school. In past years, no students have ever dared to impose on this long standing tradition, they have simply waited their turn – until now.
Thanks to the social networking site Facebook, a simple status update ignited a dispute amongst the two upper-classes. After the initial announcement, word spread quickly about the so-called “junior crowns,” and soon afterwards, the infamous crown controversy ensued.
The idea caused an array of reactions, ranging from rage to disapproval, and the negative feedback caused the pioneers to rebute. Junior Riddhi Patel says, “It’s a free country and we can do what we want. We aren’t harming anyone, it’s just to show school spirit. So why should they hate?”
Similar remarks were made after all of the backlash, everyone in favor claiming that the crowns were only to increase school spirit. Those opposed to the idea also had something to say, “They say they’re doing it to have school spirit,” comments a senior, “but there are plenty of other ways they can do that instead of just copying from a traditon. It’s disrespectful to the seniors, we waited our turn. Why can’t they?”
The new principal Mr. Borsheour, who had several seniors complain about the idea, also remarked on the illedged lack of creativity, “If you want to come up with your own tradition, that’s fine. But do not be unoriginal and copy an idea that has been a senior tradition for years,” he announced to the juniors during their class assembly.
All of the hype soon attracted mounds of attention to the issue, and more students began taking sides, creating tension between the classes.
Despite the principal’s advisements, juniors continued with their initial plans and went on to flaunt the fact that they, indeed, were still in the process of decorating their crowns. After hearing word that the juniors were not following his advice, an announcent was made by the principal on Thursday stating that the whole point of the pep rally was to support the football team, not to create a rivalry among classes. He also stated that senior priveledges could be at stake for the juniors if they decided to keep endorsing the crowns.
Upon hearing that their actions could have serious consequences, the crown advocates had some serious decision making to do. On one hand, they didn’t want to appear intimidated by the seniors’ threats and promises to remove their junior crowns, but on the other hand, they could possibly put their own senior priviledges in danger. Everyone waited in anticipation to see what the following day had in store, even though many agreed that “the whole crown issue has gotten so blown out of proportion,” as said by senior Jeremiah Slaton.
Once Friday rolled around, everyone was anxious to see what the final outcome would be. An announcement was made Friday morning by a very aggravated Mr. Bornsheour. He was not at all thrilled about the behavior displayed by the junior or senior classes, and went on to forbid the wearing of junior crowns, much to the disappointment of those who, indeed, had come to school with a junior crown in hand.
Even though the problem seemed to be resolved, the pep rally proved otherwise. Though a serious altercation did not take place, there was an obvious clash between the two classes. The seniors made a big show of their crowns and taunted the juniors, chanting “Where’s your crown?” as they held theirs in the air proudly. Although divided, part of the junior class chanted back with an equal amount of passion and resentment.
Following the pep rally, everything began the settle down. Mr. B announced that he was impressed with the students’ behavior and looking forward to the night’s game. It seemed that students began to realize Mr. B’s initial point that the whole purpose of the pep rally was to come together for the school and football team, not to try and advance your own class.
A few hours later, students filed into the student section together to support the Yellow Jackets. The only chants heard were those cheering on the team, and the only rivalry was one united against the Midland Valley Mustangs, who were beat by the Jackets for the fourteenth year in a row.
