Well, Niles West, here we go again. Unfortunately, this is my second time writing a denouncement of a spirit assembly, the prior one being the winter assembly. It’s not deja vu that I enjoy experiencing. 2013, while you may be “remembered,” ( I say this lightly since, let’s be honest, next year’s freshmen won’t know us, and frankly won’t care) it will be for appalling reasons.
Why did we have a spirit week? Why did the seniors change “teacher-student switch day” into their own tie-dye day? Why did people show up in short shorts when it was snowing outside, vandalize school property (the bathrooms) with spray paint, and overall make a big fuss, when in the end, the reason for all of this got cancelled? I just don’t understand why we couldn’t be respectful when principal Kaine Osburn specifically told us that if we caused a commotion, the assembly would be cancelled. We all knew he was mad about the winter one, why would we push the envelope again?
First of all, spirit assemblies are not Ke$ha concerts. There is no need for glitter and silly string. Not everyone wants their hair and outfits to be covered in these things. And, I guess people stayed after to clean up, but if that clears your conscious, oh, boy, do we have even bigger problems here. Maybe a representative from the class of 2013 could have gone directly to Osburn and asked if it would be okay to bring in glitter and silly string. That would have been smart, but as was shown Friday, intelligence was clearly not shining through.
I still can’t figure out how a tire was brought in because I wasn’t aware that Niles West was a car dealership. What was the purpose of the tire? Is that a symbol of school spirit? It seems to me that the class of 2013 could care less about school spirit and would rather cause drama and destruction. Juniors, you guys were pretty civil, so maybe you’ll behave next year. Oh, wait, there are rumors circling that there may not even be any future spirit assemblies.
What’s even more astonishing is that people don’t understand what went wrong. Yeah, the silly string and glitter weren’t that bad, I guess. But throwing artifacts at the boys’ gymnastics team while they were doing their tricks was dangerous. If something hit those boys while they were flipping in the air, they could have gotten seriously hurt. That was probably the tipping point for Osburn, if I had to guess.
I think the most disturbing part of all this is that the class of 2013 is so smug and pleased with their work. Posting statuses like “we did it right” or “I love my class” shows how disrespectful you all are. This school has raised you during the past four years. Yeah, it’s definitely not perfect, but if you guys have so much school spirit in your hearts, why disappoint so many other students and your administration? And write such classless things on Facebook?
None of the spring athletes could show off their talents. They worked hard preparing for their peers, especially teams who did videos. The technology department puts so much effort into making assemblies special for us all, editing all those videos. Most importantly, the C.E.C. Club annual spring basketball tournament could not take place. They literally work all year for this. Yeah, they got to play after the debauchery, but it clearly wasn’t the same. They love having everyone cheer for them. To ruin that opportunity for them was heartless.
If we were really classy people, 2013 would write a formal apology to all those athletes and clubs involved, but most importantly, an apology to Osburn should be made, considering this was his last assembly with us, something that should have been a happy memory for him.
So, yeah, I guess we’ll be “remembered.” Please, we all act like we’re so great, like we’re celebrities. That’s called having delusions of grandeur, guys. It’s non-existent. All the hard work the athletes, C.E.C. Club, student government, student activities director Jessica Pritzker and Osburn put in was for naught. We had a lovely 15-minute assembly, that must be a record. I’m ashamed to be a part of the class of 2013. The cancellation was nobody’s fault but our own. If we wanted to “go big,” we should have waited until the end of the assembly to go crazy. Is graduation going to be chaos as well? Let’s just say, it definitely won’t be hard to say goodbye to a lot of my classmates when May 30 rolls around.
guy • May 1, 2013 at 10:58 PM
OK. Some of you think you’re rockstars for what you did, some are taking it personally(this blog for example), and I’m sure some just don’t care.
1. The principle is the authority figure. Some respect is expected and when none is given
punishments happen.
2. One assembly was canceled, I would be surprised if it happened again the next time(and yes there will be another one)
3. Stop taking this of all things so personally. Who knows, the next class might do something that the next person thinks is worse (all subjective. I never found Osburn’s
scooter down the hall very appropriate or appealing)
4. It is High School take what you can from it then move on. You will experience better things beyond this.
shorty • Apr 29, 2013 at 11:09 PM
this was not classy of niles wests seniors at all. i mean the way i saw it was they did exactly what the administration told them NOT to do. whats the point of that? do you think people are going to remember you for acting like complete fools at what might be the last assembly we may ever have. you guys need to stop thinking about urselves for just a second and realize that because of your actions, there is serious talk about absolutely no pep assemblies. and since u guys are graduating it looks like every one who DIDNT participate will have to endure.
yes its true that worse has been done in the past, but even those seniors knew there was a time and place. and the only reason nothing had been done then, was because osburn didnt sense any dangerous acts being committed. unlike this time. yeah u guys are going to be remembered. remembered for getting an assembly cancelled within the first 10 minutes. yeah. youll be remembered for being the class that put all those clubs and atheletes and the CECs hard work to waste. youre the class that wanted to show everyone else up so much that you ran around like savages even after the assembly had been cancelled.
please tell me, in 10 or 15 years, is that going to be relevant to your life? are any of those actions going to benefit you? or enhance your reputation?
you guys know why it was changed to red and white day? to show our unity as a school. all you guys did was show ur selfishness as individuals.
way to go class of 2013.
Sophomore • Apr 24, 2013 at 8:51 AM
I thought a funny part of the pep assembly was when the sophomores in the middle section were being loud and the juniors turned around and said go home sophomores all the other sophomores who didnt chant were like “what are you doing? We’re supposed to stay quiet” and when the seniors freaked out the freshman looked really scared like what’s going on? I think everyone has valid opinions here and I enjoyed this article so I think we should just enjoy the rest of the year.
Rebecca • Apr 21, 2013 at 9:52 AM
After perusing through some of the previous comments, I felt that I needed to add in my own opinions.
1. I blame the senior class for this, not because of the fact that we were the ones throwing things or spraying silly string every which way (see #5), but because we were immature enough to think that it was okay to do so during the gymnastics performance. As mentioned in the article, someone could have gotten hurt, and unless you want to be held liable for causing some broken bones, it wasn’t the best time to start cheering and throwing things. The point of spirit assemblies is to show school spirit, NOT to ‘outclass’ all of the previous years of seniors. Okay, yes, we did a great job showing spirit, but we did it in the wrong ways and at the wrong time.
2. Seeing as this was supposed to be my last assembly at Niles West, I was extremely disappointed that I only got to stick around for 15 minutes. I’m glad that those of you who sprayed silly string and threw glitter felt accomplished afterwards, but you guys ruined my last assembly at West, and I find that incredibly selfish of you. Thanks.
3. I have no idea who started the whole “mini-riot” in the stands that caused everyone in the middle section to go crazy, but I think whoever did that could have at least held off until the CEC game. Those guys were so excited to play for us, and instead of having the whole school watching them, the senior class had to go and ruin it so the CEC kids only had a smattering of spectators. Way to be ‘classy’, guys.
4. As ‘Bill’ said, “While athletics did not perform during the assembly, they have their athletic competitions to do that.” Um, okay, but what about the people who don’t normally get to see the athletic competitions? When I was in a fall sport, I only saw ONE soccer game and ONE football game, and this was only because I had such a rigorous schedule that I only had time to see two games within four months. That being said, not everyone can spare time to see one of the athletic competitions, so for you to say that the athletes shouldn’t feel angry about not getting to show their videos is rude. The whole point of the videos is to showcase the athletic teams at West within a few minutes, since it’s highly unlikely that the whole school (2,700 students plus staff) will pile into the pool balcony to watch a water polo match. Come on now.
5. I understand that you guys think that throwing toilet paper and spraying things everywhere sounds like a good idea, but as Mara said, people don’t appreciate getting silly string and glitter all over themselves. I wasn’t even sitting anywhere remotely near the middle section and yet I seemed to somehow get glitter all over. You’re not Ke$ha, so stop throwing glitter and trying to make it rain on us.
6. We seniors think that we’re the ’13est’ but in reality we’re the worst. Y’all messed up this time.
If anyone (freshman, senior, junior, whatever) takes offense to anything I’ve said, come at me, bro.
Thanks for this article, Mara.
Anon • Apr 20, 2013 at 9:28 PM
Man, lighten up! These little moments of recklessness in the Pep rallies are something to remember. I’ve graduated in 2012, and now that I am in college, I miss these moments. Once you get into college, there aren’t these moments where you can bond with your friends like this. Perhaps everyone is overreacting, the previous classes have does similar things: shaving cream, string, beach balls, etc. So maybe instead of people telling Niles West to grow up, Niles West should relax. You guys are young. Niles West treats us like kids, why not act like it while you still can?
anon • Apr 20, 2013 at 5:24 PM
The tire was hilarious, come on. It was simply great.
Bill • Apr 20, 2013 at 5:23 PM
Some would say remembered for the right reasons. Ultimately the administrators ended the assembly. 2013 is happy that they will be remembered as “the class that was to loud for the assembly”. While athletics did not perform during the assembly, they have their athletic competitions to do that. The clubs and individual events were the only ones cheated. I think this article is unfair because this is an opinion not shared by the rest of the senior class. At the end of the day, the seniors were looking to be as rowdy as possible, not to end the assembly. I don’t think that it was canceled because of safety regulations, seeing as the administrators don’t seem to care about safety when coming to school in extreme weather, it seems like they just wanted to send a message. They should have expected something like this, it is in fact the last assembly. Did they really think the silence was going to last through the whole assembly? If anything I blame the administrators. With a school body of 2700 TEENAGERS (Not Adults), and a class of about 700 students that are graduating in 2 months, this is not surprising to me at all. Its basically a senior prank. As a senior, I feel bad for the individuals that did not perform, but also happy that we will be known as the class that beat the assembly. As long as we are remembered, not what for.
Mara Shapiro • Apr 20, 2013 at 5:59 PM
You can’t say that this article is unfair because it doesn’t represent the senior class. I’m going to teach you about journalism here. If my face is next to the article, it means it’s my opinion, and my opinion alone. Yeah, I know that others share my opinion, but when it comes to this article, it is solely mine. I did not ask for quotes to show others’ opinions, I just wrote what I felt.So, no, just because I do not agree with my grade doesn’t make this article unfair. I do not feel that ruining an assembly is an accomplishment for our class. As for the extreme weather issue and safety, I think that’s more of a district decision. Not 100% though. But if any student got hurt because of the rowdiness at the assembly, I’m sure a parent would have complained and asked why the assembly wasn’t cancelled. I do think that it is dangerous to throw things in the stands. You never know who it might hit or where on their respective person. Thank you for commenting in a polite manner even though we do not agree on this subject.
Buzzy • Apr 20, 2013 at 6:16 PM
If I may ask. What do you blame the admins for? also, being “Teenagers” justify everything you all did in the assembly? hmmm interesting.
Buzzy • Apr 20, 2013 at 9:20 AM
When I saw this on facebook, the only reason that Mr. O cancelled was somebody threw a toilet paper during the gymnastics team performance. BUT wow I did not expect this, now I understand why he canceled. As a alum, I can see both sides but obviously the seniors kinda went a little far TOO EARLY. Do I expect the seniors–Class of 2013 — to go a little far on their last assembly? YES! but the timing is wrong. The class should have done it TOWARDS at the end of the assembly. Let the performances and introductions of sport teams pan out before you do anything crazy. They worked so hard for this event–especially the CES basketball team, Break-beats to showcase what they have worked, practiced on to show and entertain you guys. Its a little sad that it was cancelled but do not justify that what you did was right because its wrong. It is a total lack of respect to your peers.
Someone who knows better • Apr 20, 2013 at 7:19 AM
As someone who has been around West for many, many years, I’ve noticed that each class brings something “special” with it…and for some reason, this year’s senior class has more than its share of disrespectful, entitled, smug, self-centered, rude students. This was Mr. Osburn’s last assembly at West and, of course, one he wanted to go well–you were warned–you chose to completely disregard any warnings–what you did was selfish and dangerous–and after all that, the fact that some of you obviously have no consciences, no understanding, boggles the mind. Many of you are amazing, bright, terrific, caring people–and I have no doubt that you will go far, both personally and professionally; those of you who look back on yesterday and feel proud or pissed off that the assembly was cancelled or are clueless as to why–you are the kind of people who grow up thinking that the world owes you something–the kind of people who can never take responsibility for your actions–the kind of people who blame everyone else for whatever goes wrong in your lives–and trust me, it will. And the fact that you are so lucky–to be where you are, surrounded by the kind of people you’re surrounded with–and you just don’t get it–is pretty worrisome, for all of us–but especially for you.
N/A • Apr 19, 2013 at 10:29 PM
You sound like a Debbie downer and you are making too big of a deal. Learn to have some fun or sit with the teachers at the next one.
Mara Shapiro • Apr 19, 2013 at 11:08 PM
That’s the thing, there might not be a next one!Throwing stuff at gymnasts is a major safety hazard. If being concerned about the boys gymnastics team’s safety makes me a “debbie downer,” then I’m more than okay with that label.
Truth • Apr 20, 2013 at 1:15 PM
I understand that this is an opinion piece, but some things need to be set straight here.
1. Why did we have a spirit week? Why did the seniors change “teacher-student switch day” into their own tie-dye day?
– Because the “student government” or whoever picks it chose those days by themselves with minor input from the class. This is a week to show school spirit along with CLASS Spirit. changing it allows us to show our Class unity and spirit.
2. Why did people show up in short shorts when it was snowing outside, vandalize school property (the bathrooms) with spray paint, and overall make a big fuss, when in the end, the reason for all of this got cancelled?
– a subject might help the question.
3.Kaine Osburn specifically told us that if we caused a commotion, the assembly would be cancelled.
– Why have the assemblies then?
4. Not everyone wants their hair and outfits to be covered in these things.
– Which is why the spirit section is usually in the middle, and if you choose to go there, know what’s coming.
5. if that clears your conscious, oh, boy, do we have even bigger problems here.
– Who made you the ultimate judge of character and morals?
6. but as was shown Friday, intelligence was clearly not shining through.
– #5
7. I still can’t figure out how a tire was brought in because I wasn’t aware that Niles West was a car dealership. What was the purpose of the tire? Is that a symbol of school spirit?
– Inflatable pool toy. Not a tire. Get your facts straight.
8. Juniors, you guys were pretty civil, so maybe you’ll behave next year.
– Again, get your facts straight.
9. throwing artifacts at the boys’ gymnastics team
– “Artifacts”.
10. classless things
– You want a gavel too? (#5)
11. To ruin that opportunity for them was heartless.
– Argument can easily made against the administration.
12. Please, we all act like we’re so great, like we’re celebrities. That’s called having delusions of grandeur, guys. It’s non-existent.
– We never mentioned celebrities or referred to ourselves as such…
13. Let’s just say, it definitely won’t be hard to say goodbye to a lot of my classmates when May 30 rolls around.
– #5.
Mara Shapiro • Apr 20, 2013 at 1:43 PM
I find it kind of funny that you posted this on my Facebook wall and now you’re hiding behind a false name. Are you afraid to put a name behind your opinions?
1. I think it was a waste of time and effort to have a spirit week when it eventually got cancelled. Yeah, fine, change your days, but don’t eventually ruin the reason for changing the days.
2. I don’t understand what you mean.
3. We were warned. He’s an authority figure. He’s not going to hold our hands. If he says there will be consequences, there will be.
4. I always sit on the outside. I definitely got silly stringed in the past. Wasn’t what my hair appreciated. It spreads to the outside.
5. Now you’re just being mean. If you think it’s right to cancel an assembly and post proud pictures and statuses, well…. I guess we’re different types of people.
7. Does it really matter? Should an inflatable item be brought in? If you want that, ask the administration if it’s cool with them first.
8. Article addressed the seniors solely. You can’t deny that the seniors made Osburn reach his tipping point.
9. Sorry my word choice offended you. Didn’t know you were an English teacher. That has literally no relation to your point or to my article.
12. It’s the behavior, not the title. Just because we’re seniors doesn’t mean the school owes us anything. We’re not “better” than any other grade here.
Buzzy • Apr 20, 2013 at 1:56 PM
I was gonna say something but you pretty much hit every single point.
But this statement: “who made you the ultimate judge of character and moral”….just wow lol
Berkh • Apr 20, 2013 at 2:30 PM
I didn’t put my name on this because I knew that you would probably make a big deal out of it in class. But fine, it’s me, you got me? laugh.
6, 10, 11, 13. say hello.
Gonna sum this up real quick:
1. We went crazy for class spirit, yeah. However, all this about US ruining the day is bull. The school chose to do it, and in the end it’s not solely on the senior class.
2. We didn’t choose to cancel the assembly, so answers like #5 isn’t our fault.
3. The school doesn’t owe us anything. That point was well proven yesterday. We did what every single class has done before us and definitely not as bad as 2011. We chose to go hard, and the school chose to cancel the assembly. This will be remembered, but for anyone who’s not been seemingly whipped into submission by the school to say that everything they do is right, it will not be remembered as a shame.
Buzzy • Apr 20, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Then who’s fault is it? come on now. What your class did was the tipping point for Mr. O so he decided to cancel. You made it sound like the school cancelled the assembly with no apparent reason.
anon • Apr 19, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Ok, we didn’t mean to end the assembly. Yea we had warnings but we would’ve still done this if we didn’t be quiet for the first couple minutes. And also juniors had the jersey day when we had tie dye day. I saw more juniors wearing Jerseys than seniors wearing tie dye. Yea we wanted to be remembered, but for the quietness we had at the being. It was something different. Even mrs. olgunik liked the idea. We didn’t want to end it short. It was great because we shut down the juniors who thought were gonna be better than us but we didn’t think it would get canceled! I’m proud of my class for the unity!
Jessica Ogulnik Pritzker • Apr 22, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Anon,
Totally not ok. Not with me. Never said it was. What I told the seniors was that I could support them cheering in between acts and when it was appropriate. Not during an act when kids could hurt themselves. Epic Fail.
really? • Apr 23, 2013 at 3:54 PM
What’s “Epic Fail” is how Niles West has turned into a despotism, with the deans, Osburn, and yourself at the top.
anon • Apr 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM
Ok, we didn’t mean to end the assembly. Yea we had warnings but we would’ve still done this if we didn’t be quiet for the first couple minutes. And also juniors had the jersey day when we had tie dye day. I saw more juniors wearing Jerseys than seniors wearing tie dye. Yea we wanted to be remembered, but for the quietness we had at the being. It was something different. Even mrs. olgunik liked the idea. We didn’t want to end it short. It was great because we shut down the juniors who thought were gonna be better than us but we didn’t think it would get canceled! I’m proud of my class for the unity! Ok, we didn’t mean to end the assembly. Yea we had warnings but we would’ve still done this if we didn’t be quiet for the first couple minutes. And also juniors had the jersey day when we had tie dye day. I saw more juniors wearing Jerseys than seniors wearing tie dye. Yea we wanted to be remembered, but for the quietness we had at the being. It was something different. Even mrs. olgunik liked the idea. We didn’t want to end it short. It was great because we shut down the juniors who thought were gonna be better than us but we didn’t think it would get canceled! I’m proud of my class for the unity!
Sunny • Apr 19, 2013 at 9:33 PM
And also, what about all the kids who wanted to perform at the assembly? They probably practiced for months just to perform, and now its all gone. Shame on the class of 2013. I agree that we should let loose for the last month or so, but really seniors, have some class.
Sunny • Apr 19, 2013 at 9:31 PM
Personally, I was surprised at how crazy our class got, and I really didn’t understand the point of all the extra props. The spirit sticks (I think thats what those red blow up rods are called) I can understand, the silly string I think is a stretch, but glitter and a TIRE? really? As a person who legitimately wanted to enjoy his last assembly, I am rather ashamed of my class, both of how they ruined MY last assembly, but also a lot of other seniors who DIDN’T cause trouble by throwing things. I sat with a couple friends, and we didn’t really do any face paint or wear crazy clothes, but we were legitamately hyped, as this was a our last assembly. I promised myself that when Osbourne called out each of our classes, I would chant 2013! 2013! 2013! with all my might. But bursting out in the middle of a performance was downright disrespectful. I feel a tinge of anger at my class too. I am a member of the class of 2013, and now my class will be the class who potentially changed pep assemblies at Niles West forever. And when I see articles like “seniors rioted at Niles West,” I feel both angry and bad because I really didn’t do anything, but my own peers did, but we’re still going to be looked down upon in this school. Sickening for me. I wanted this pep assembly to be special. Not this kind of special.
zap • Apr 19, 2013 at 8:49 PM
Preach, that’s all that I can say at this point.