![]() ![]() The American flag is properly displayed at our sporting stadiums, and our announcers always ask the fans to stand and join in the singing of our national anthem before contests, which was most recently witnessed at last evening’s football game.” “Those in attendance at TRHS events from football and basketball to tennis and baseball know that I, along with our student body and community, have the utmost respect for our flag and strive to display the highest levels of patriotism. “Just as importantly, using the American flag to display disrespect and unsportsmanlike behavior is in itself improper and disrespectful to our flag,” he said. In a statement released by the school district, Lavely said any decisions made regarding American flags being permitted into the game were “made in the best interests of all attending the game and in the spirit of patriotism and respect for our flag.” Both schools and communities need to embrace the spirit of competition in a positive manner, and show respect for each other's achievements." "We educate our students on how to display good sportsmanship and to show respect to our opponents. Both teams played hard and should be celebrated for their efforts on the field. Lavely should be celebrated for his dedication to supporting our veterans and encouraging student to love and respect our great nation", according to the statement. He made the right decision", Noel said in an email statement from the school district. His decision was based on the premise that the American flag should not be used in a disrespectful or unsportsmanlike like manner. He was protecting the greatest symbol of our nation, the American Flag. Lavely's actions at the football game on Friday night. RELATED: TR police chief disagrees with TR principal's flag decisionīerea High Principal Mike Noel issued a statement in support of Lavely. would be permitted if they compromise safety.”īeth Brotherton, assistant director of communications for Greenville County Schools, said while Travelers Rest doesn’t have a policy banning American flags for any game or event, “student safety and proper respect for the flag are evaluated as the issues arise and are addressed accordingly.” ![]() “It is the responsibility of the school to provide the safest environment possible, and no object, sign, chants by students, etc. “Student safety (and in the case of a football game, safety of all attending) is our primary concern,” Lavely said. He said the American flag has been used in the past to “taunt” Berea students, leading to confrontations. Travelers Rest’s principal, Lou Lavely, responded Saturday. Several people posted about the incident on social media Saturday, claiming the student wasn’t allowed to carry the flag into Friday night’s Travelers Rest-Berea game because it might offend Berea’s large Hispanic community. flag to a high school game.Tensions are flaring after a Travelers Rest student was blocked from carrying an American flag into a high school football stadium, according to reports on social media. ![]() And, in fairness, students and community members shouldn't automatically assume these policies are coming from People Who Hate America, and perhaps compromises could be struck, such as allowing those little $1 paper flags if you really, really have to bring a U.S. Then, if schools are going to ban flags, or restrict their use, they should talk with students and community members to explain why they're doing this. Most venues hosting college and pro sporting events, for example, ban flags (especially on poles) and banners completely, for unspecified safety reasons (and maybe because it's hard to see the game when the guy in front of you has a big flag). As it turns out, schools in South Carolina are conducting reviews on their flags-at-games policies in the wake of what happened at Travelers Rest. This is in the context of maybe everybody talking to each other and being a little more understanding.įirst, if schools don't do this already, they should have policies on what can, and can't, be brought into games. Rather than me calling Lavely a Communist or a true American protecting the rights of all, I've rather weigh in with some more practical advice for school administrators who may see a surge of American flag-bearers at games, particularly as the presidential election draws ever nearer. ![]()
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