During Spirit Week, I had conversations with a dozen people who refused to participate in red and white day. They would then reflect on how much they “despise this school.” This talk deeply upset me. My name is Evan Stiger, and I don’t hate Freedom Area High School. Freedom is ridiculed by its students on a regular basis. Some students devote their time to criticizing certain sport and extracurricular programs. This goes beyond disliking Freedom to a very near attack on one’s peers. Last year, an article was published in the FHS Press about how Freedom doesn’t, for the most part, have social cliques. I disagree wholeheartedly. While everyone may get along well together, an outrageous amount of gossip goes on behind the backs of too many students. Most often, this happens because of someone’s affiliation with a group or organization. I’ll admit that many of Freedom’s sports struggle, but this is to be expected with such a small school. With fewer students to choose from, it’s harder to find talented, able-bodied individuals. However, each team makes a respectable effort. I would also like to remind everyone that it isn’t Prison High School. There seems to be severe delusions that this year’s staff changes have also brought about abnormal rule enforcements. Yet, the few changes I have seen seemed to only have improved the school. In reality, Freedom is afforded privileges that other schools aren’t. For example, I recently spoke with a coworker of mine who isn’t permitted to use his cell phone on school grounds during school hours. I find his situation ridiculous, but he doesn’t seem to mind it. In fact, he has more school spirit than many of the people at Freedom, with fewer rights. It’s a shame that Freedom isn’t more spirited. For four years, I’ve watched some of the saddest, dullest excuses for pep rallies. It seems like people are incapable of being happy in the context of Freedom, even though pep rallies are more focused toward giving our fellow students a well-deserved spotlight. School spirit isn’t a requirement, but it is a necessity.