By Alexis Johnson-Williams
The Student Section is responsible for cheering on the players on the field. Students fill the bleachers shouting chants and cheers directed from the leaders below. Student Section leaders are chosen to lead hundreds in cheering on the team. However, many students have complained about the lack of organization, unity, and spirit in the leaders this year.
A recurring problem has been student section leaders letting non-Shreve students “on the fence” where only leaders are supposed to be, while actual Shreve students face ridicule for anything they try to do to help.
“When standing in the student section I was rudely told to move back two rows when I am a senior and arrived at the game early to obtain that seat,” Senior Reese Gilcrease stated.
Measures have been put in place to eliminate this unfairness with Student Council advisor Lauryn Jenkins continuously asking students who are not leaders to get off the fence. The lack of organization however makes this effort ineffective.
“Due to the bias on the fence, students can’t tell who the Student Section leaders are. Many of the chants are created by non-Student Section leaders as well,” La’teya Cannon observed.
Another major issue is the absence of spirit. Many of the same chants are used unless another one is written on the white board. At the homecoming game against Parkway, Principal Robert Silvie witnessed the need for spirit and created his own chant. The chant electrified the student section showcasing true Shreve pride.
“Mr. Silvie starting the chant boosted the crowd participation in seconds, compared to the mood from the rest of the game.” Junior Maddison Reynolds said.
A component of the problem stems from the change to Independence Stadium from Lee Hedges.
“Lee Hedges fueled our spirit, so not being there is affecting that. However, freshmen are not aware of game etiquette, which contributes to the problem.” Senior Ellen Douglas says.
The lack of spirit and unity is not solely on the student section leaders, but the students in attendance as well.
Ellen Douglas concludes,” The student section could and should be better. We have seen its potential, so why is that not being demonstrated?”
Would you like to respond? Send an email to enterprise@captainshreve.com to let your voice be heard.