SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 89, ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2011
MORE STUDENTS FAILING PAGE 2
WINTER SPORTS UPDATE
PAGE 5
PRAY TO PLAY Seperation between church and sport
LAST MINUTE GIFTS
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The Cedar Post tallied a total of 82 athletes and asked them about the role that religion has SOD\HG LQ VSRUWV IRU WKHP %HORZ ZH KDYH WKH UHVXOWV RI WKRVH VWXGHQWV SROOHG
!"#$%&#'(#)$%*&$&+#,!**&-.
61%
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With whom do you pray before a game? $&)6 )*!3& 2!$%
15% 54% 31%
'( 78 98 :8 ;8 <8 (8 =8 8
no
yes
yes
Have you ever felt pressured to pray by a teammate or coach?
Q IN THEIR HANDS: Pre-game prayer is a common occurance at Sandpoint High School and other schools across the nation. Some students participate gladly in team prayer while other athletes feel a certain pressure from their teammates or coaches to pray.
George Wood >$)""#?04$&0
T
he debate over public display of religion has been spotlighted nationally, due to the actions of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. He differs from the typical NFL quarterback because of his devotion to his faith, publicly owing all of his success to God, and kneeling in prayer after every touchdown. This intertwining of religion and sports is prevalent in Sandpoint High School as well, through the actions and opinions of coaches and players alike. These religious activities are expressed in a variety of ways. Lake Pend Oreille District Policy 2350 states that the district may not prohibit private religious expression by students, as long as they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disruptive. Athletic Director Tom Albertson was not aware of a policy
relating to religion and sports, but personally believes there should be a separation in SHS athletics. In his coaching experience, he has found a way to give players the ability to pray, without imposing a particular religion on the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before a game, I would recognize a moment of silence so that players could focus or reflect, or pray if they choose to,â&#x20AC;? Albertson said about his experience coaching. Other teams do specifically recognize a certain faith in team led prayers. Sophomore Colin Jurenka said his basketball team has prayed before ev-
basically speaking â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I played sports, I would pray before a game, just to get a little bit of faith DQG FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH ZLWK WKH JDPH Âľ
!Jacob McGuire Junior
Has your coach ever prayed with you?
GRAPHIC BY ANDY MEYER | GRAPHIC EDITOR PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DYLAN VOGEL | PHOTO EDITOR
ery game, and this has united them. This case of team prayer is student led, but in other sports at the school, the coach may lead. But when group recognition of a single religion occurs within a team whose players may differ in faith, some players feel left out. Sophomore Hunter King is a longtime soccer player who is familiar with being outside the religious majority on sports team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been on teams where they pray before games, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not particularly religious, so you feel pressured to join, and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re kind of excluded. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looked at differently,â&#x20AC;? King said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more individual it is, the less alienated other players will feel. ... There shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any pressure.â&#x20AC;?
Cont. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Religionâ&#x20AC;? on Page 5
!"#$%&'%()*+%),&-&)-%)-%,+#(&-.%/01)+0% '2"))34'#-2$&)-05%#$"30$&2%060-$'7 â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it is your opinion, if the whole team was for it, that!s alright, but if one person is not then they shouldn!t have WR Âľ Makayla Meyer Freshman
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personally, , WKLQN LWŇ&#x2039;V Ă&#x20AC;QH I guess if the team [and] the coaches are for it, if it!s mutual, LWŇ&#x2039;V DOULJKW Âľ
Luke Plaster Senior
no
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I!m not religious but I GRQŇ&#x2039;W PLQG LW ,WŇ&#x2039;V people!s own beliefs so it doesn!t make a differHQFH WR PH Âľ
Morgan Fulton Sophomore