I just wanted to write a note, as a concerned parent.
On a recent Friday night, my 6-year-old boy was playing football at halftime of the game at Woodbury High School. Suddenly, the majority of the student section began booing and many of the little boys from the field were turning to see why all the cheering had turned negative.
We realized a girl from Park High School, wearing her Park sweatshirt, had walked up into the section. The students from Woodbury were booing, yelling and throwing pop cans and garbage at her.
I was horrified that my other three children and the children of our supportive friends, whom we had invited, were witness to this poor sportsmanship.
We heard a young student yell, “At least Woodbury has class.” Another yelled, “Show some respect for Woodbury.”
Sadly, these students don't know what my 10-year-old noticed. She said, “Mom, there is nothing classy about throwing garbage at a girl.”
Also unfortunate—they are not aware that to receive respect, they should first give respect.
Most disturbing was an ROTC student, one of four on the field, who reached down, picked up some garbage and also threw it at the young girl. Such a shame that my 3-year-old boy, who always is excited when he recognizes a "soldier uniform," witnessed this behavior.
The police escorted the girl safely out of the stands.
My hope is that these Woodbury students felt remorse and realize that there are young children watching them. It would be appreciated if they set a good example. At least when all of the young junior athletes are present!
—Jen Gonzaga
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I have read several posts stereotyping a community and school as a whole. You refer to the act as bullying, disrespectful and just absolutely horrifying. Put out an APB to locate her, and contact the local authorities to conduct a Health and Welfare check. She may have ran away from home, joined a cult, and could even be contemplating hurting herself…All because she willingly put herself into a position that welcomed humiliating retaliation. I bet she has shrugged it off and has already fallen victim of her vicious ways once again.
As for the ROTC, remember they are just children as well. I bet if you have a child in the Military, thinking of joining or preparing to join that you will understand more than most. Let them be children as long as they can. Before long they will be turned into adults, leaders, and no longer a child. They will face your fears; death, discrimination, hatred, and atrocities. This little involvement in a childish event will not even compare to what they could be a part of in the near future. I know you will not only be glad, but proud of what they are willing to step up and do for this nation, no matter how ugly it appears to be.
As for myself, I attended the game with my family to include a younger child. I noticed commotion in the area where the overzealous high school students exercise their school spirit. I felt the children did a great job at placing themselves in their own section of the stands opposite of the band. Seems like strategic placing to me. They placed themselves away from the majority of the crowd so they could act as teenagers should and always have acted. I encourage my children to explore the rest of the world, and learn from it, as long as the lesson is the difference between right and wrong. I can only hope that I have instilled morals and values into their growing minds.
It really does amaze me how quickly people are willing to make assumptions and accusations without really knowing what happened. I think if everyone actually remembered what they were like at this age they would see there really is no difference between then and now. I have been to a large number of high school games of schools all over the Twin Cities. I have heard swear words said by an entire school as part of a cheer. Kids do stupid things...period. Parents need to call them out on their behavior because that is our job. But cut them some slack. To make generalizations is ridiculous. I certainly hope the young girl from Park's parents are having a conversation with her about her choices...it seems to be what started it. And hopefully the other parents are as well. I think the Administration is doing a great job handling the situation...not an easy feet trying to control the behavior of 1800 some students. If you all have kids, you know how hard it can be to get a hold of our own. No more bashing...it is so unproductive!
Sincerely, a proud WHS student
Also, wow...people make it sound like all of hell breaks loose in the student section. It's really not bad at all. Probably nothing worse than when you were in high school. Will a very select group of druggies show up high or drunk at the game? Possibly. Will the "superfans" get a little more into the game than they should? At times, but they usually don't chant anything too vulgar. If they do, they get kicked out by an administrator. Literally 98% of the students attending the game are just there to have a good time with friends. I'm truly sorry if a few of my peers caused assaulted the Park girl at the game. Again, please don't let this mistake made by a couple of some unbehaved students scare you away from attending a football game. Friday night football is an event that I encourage everyone from the community to participate in. Lastly, I was at the game and didn't see this unfortunate event. From what I heard, what happened really wasn't as bad as what was written, and that the Park student did/said some things to make the WHS student section angry. Again, I wasn't at the game, and can't verify what happened. God bless.