favorite sport return to play at all. We take it very serious here…because your brain is one of the most important organs in your body. Without that, nothing functions.” Regardless of these safety measures, it is still important for athletes to count the cost before going into football. “They should really be informed about the health risks… because some people don’t find out… until it’s already happened to them,” Elekwa said. “Now it’s too late to reverse that. So I truly think that we should do a way, way better job.” Mayes acknowledged that danger comes with all sports. “There’s a certain level of assumption of risks that you take [with any sport],” he said. “You know if you’re out here in football, and you got a helmet, you got shoulder pads and you’re running into each other tackling and blocking… there’s a possibility that you may sustain an injury. So basically, it [depends] on them.” “I’m never really that worried about being hurt,” Owolabi said. “My mom always tells me to play smart, not hard… if you know you are going to get seriously injured from this, don’t do it. Because your life isn’t worth an amazing play. Your whole football career is not worth that tackle that you get in the backfield. You’ve got to think about your future while being in the present.” Overall, football is an enjoyable sport for millions of students across America, but more of them must grasp the risks that come with devoting themselves to the game. There needs to be greater awareness across the sport for those going into it. In the end, it just depends on how much one is willing to risk to do what they enjoy. As Elekwa said, football requires faith. “Everything I do, I do it with God,” he said. “When I’m playing football, I don’t really think about the bad side of it because I know that if I play with God, God has me all the way.”
Photo by Zata Dizadare
The dress code divide By Naomi Akinlami
The student dress code contains regulations for both male and female students with restrictions ranging from no facial piercings to no ripped jeans and hats. “A majority of our dress code violations are from the girls,” Associate Principal of Instruction Bryan Brown said, confirming the regulation’s preference for male students. Student opinion on the dress code is divided but general opinion is that it heavily focuses on female students. “I would say it’s fair...boys can’t really sag, they can’t really wear piercings or earrings...I would say most of it is the girls.” said Senior Mianna Ramirez.
While some students believe it’s fair citing some foul play others disagree. “I think it’s crackerjacks, instead of telling people what to wear, teach boys not to look at us that way...although people shouldn’t be coming to school naked.” said Senior Zainab Shodeke With student opinion differing, it’s not a surprise administrator opinion differs as well making it difficult to determine who breaks the dress code more often and whether or not your breaking the dress code is based on the administration’s interpretation. “It’s pretty even, for girls it’s shirts, and for boys it’s hats and both genders are ripped jeans,” said Assistant Principal Brian Light.
Just as student opinion differs, so does administrator opinion. When considering the dress code it is important to note that all the rules were created for students to follow. “I agree with some students about the dress code for the most part but not all of it,” Assistant Principal Shannon Wesley said. The dress code is important as it defines what is acceptable and unacceptable at school but it is also disagreeable depending on the individual interpreting it. The reality is, the student dress code exists and it contains regulations for both male and female students. Public opinion on the dress code might differ but the dress code is a part of student life everywhere.
