May 2011 - Jefferson County Public Schools

Letters to the Editor
Cheer-Fake
Re: March 2011 YJT
Children often engage in fantasies that include make-believe ideas, but as teens and developing young
adults, we are expected to portray real ideas. A certain group of teens are unfortunately confused about the
difference between what is real and what is not, cheerleaders. They’d love to believe that cheerleading is a real
sport, but in reality it is just a fantasy.
In article, Cheer Safety, I noticed the young girl attempted to make cheerleading seem as if it is a tiring sport.
Yeah, it must be challenging to hop around making noise in a two-size too small skirt and a polyester belly shirt.
Sounds like such a work out; a work out plan for wimpy, out-of-control females that make an excuse about anything.
She started off her article by stating, “As you’ve probably experienced in your time at school, there is an
ongoing debate about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.” Basically she is implying that she is aware of the way
the real world sees cheerleading. I’m sure I can speak for majority of the population when I say CHEERLEADING IS
NOT A SPORT. Deep down in her mind she knows that too, but will not accept it, so she feels like she has to defend
herself.
In her defense she claims that without actually being a cheerleader yourself, you cannot understand the
challenges you face. I believe that appearance is everything. When basketball players work hard at practice, it reflects
in the game. When football players work hard at practice, it reflects in the game. When baseball players work hard at
practice, it reflects in the game. Those are all sports; what goes to show for cheerleading? Turning flips is an
incredible thing, but half the human population can do that. Smiling and waving at the crowd shows no hard work
and dedication.
Also, in her article, she gives techniques to use during cheerleading, such as drinking water, stretching, and
the one that shocked me the most, was using a knee brace and other types of braces. What could possibly go wrong
when you’re moving your arms up and down yelling, “Go team! Go!”? You may run out of breath, but I didn’t know
they made a brace for that!
Lastly, she sums up the article with a sentence that really grinds my gears, “I’d love to see the uprising of
cheerleaders, so keep fulfilling your dreams and never let your talent go to waste.” Cheerleading is a waste itself.
They cheer for teams that wouldn’t be any better or worse without them. Schools spend too much money on
equipment for an activity that does nothing to improve the ranking of the school or academics and ultimately should
not be considered as a sport.
Brad Peterson
Washington, DC
Steelers Football Manager
“Thuggin: 101
As I was in mid stride, walking downtown in gangster heaven, doing whatever the heck it was I had to do, I
came across a newsstand, and picked up a hell of an article. It was titled “Thuggin: 101.” I’ve come across quite a few
thugs in my bazillion years of living, and this DaEndre Lawson guy is quite the stand out. I’ve never thought of being a
thug without. It was quite the article. Those power puff girls have never seemed so cool to me until, like, now.
I’ve always considered myself a bit of a tough guy when it comes to other people and there belongings. I
used to take it forcefully, but that’s of the past. This Kanye West guy, he’s simply amazing. He didn’t the beat the crap
out of anyone, but yet I still saw the gangster blood running through his veins. As I remember, a young and innocent
white girl was receiving an award for her music, like a Grammy or whatever they call it. She was like in the middle of
the speech, and he just took the Mike out of her hand, like he was me or something. All I could do was applaud him
in silent gangster praise.
The Lawson guy then referenced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in his article. I don’t really understand the
reason why the turtles are so darn big, but that’s contrary to the article. I went to the store and decided to check out
these crime fighting reptiles and soon I understood what Mr. Lawson said when he was talking about how Raphael is
nothing less than a thug. The others celebrate and high five each other as they win their little street fights. That’s
cool. Raphael knocks them out, then returns to the turtle lair without breaking a single sweat. That’s even cooler. I
gave gangster praise to him, too.
Thugs nowadays are getting a bit more creative in their craft. You can be a 5 th grade pretty thug. You can be a
big green turtle thug. You can be a black rhyme sayer and be a thug. I realize that, and now wonder what things
would’ve been like for me if I would have applied these new thug tendencies to what I did back then. I give gangster
praise to Mr. Lawson on his excellent piece of text.
Viciously,
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone