Censorship in a high school newspaper

This year at York Suburban High School, there were major changes in the physical education curriculum. This class is now stressful and infuriating because the way to get a decent grade is to have the physical ability to put forth "effort" in the class. I understand that we, as a school, need to meet state guidelines, but this surely cannot be what the standards meant. Aren't we supposed to enjoy gym class? Isn't it supposed to teach us to enjoy physical activity?

I knew that a lot of students were upset with these new rules. Most blame it on Mr. Dan VanHouwe, a driver's education instructor who took the position of a gym teacher this year. Because these changes were set in place by the administration at the same time that he became a gym teacher, people automatically assume he is the one who encouraged the change.

Of course, I know better. I know Mr. VanHouwe, not only personally since my mother used to teach at YSHS, but because he was my driver's ed. teacher. I know that he is a good man, and not only that, I know that he does not have the power to completely shift the curriculum of the entire phys. ed. department.

Because so many people (including myself) were having issues with the new rules, I decided it would make a good editorial. I am a co-editor of the York Suburban Tribune, and the other editor and I decided that I should write it due to the fact that I'm passionate about the subject. So I began to work on it.

I needed data for my article so I went to talk to Mrs. Amy Poalucci, the other gym instructor at our school, to get some statistics. In the last issue of the Tribune, there was an article about the changes in gym class, but it was purely informational. All it did was discuss what changes are being made, and why the two instructors find these changes important. But somehow, because there was an article in the last issue and now there was going to be an editorial about gym in the next issue, Mrs. Poalucci felt like the department was being targeted. I know this because she openly (and in front of other students) accused me of targeting them, and angrily gave me the facts I needed. This made me very uncomfortable to have a teacher act this way toward me, and it was my first indicator that there would be problems. As I later found out, just after the period that I had the confrontation of sorts with Mrs. Poalucci, as the Tribune's advisor Mrs. Elizabeth Bedell returned to her classroom for the next period, Mr. VanHouwe was there waiting for her. He discussed his concerns about the article, and implied that he would prefer if I refrained from writing the article. Mrs. Bedell passed this information along to me, and I was quite upset.

Mrs. Bedell also told me that she went to the principal about the matter. She didn't know how to handle a situation such as this, seeing as she has seven years experience in advising high school newspaper staffs, and never has an issue like this arised. She told me that our principal, Mr. Daniel Roesch, would like to speak to me regarding this subject, so he could get a feel for what I was going to put in my article.

So that's exactly what I did. I went into Mr. Roesch's office this morning, pen and pad of paper in hand, ready to take whatever the meeting threw at me. I have to say, this was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. Not because of what Mr. Roesch had to say, but because of the intentions behind what he said. Everything that he said to me backed up the physical education department. I expressed my concerns and what I planned to write in the article, and I got vague, run-of-the-mill responses. I did find out, however, that Mr. VanHouwe is afraid that I will hurt him professionally (as I high school teacher, may I add), and fears that I will attempt to defame his character. Mr. Roesch also told me that I have to be tactful in my writing. Of course I knew this, but what bothered me was that he was treating me like a child. Like a first-grader who is just learning to write. I'm an 18-year-old woman, ready to go out into the world, and I'm being treated like I would be anything less than fair in my editorial. He also told me that he would read over the article before it is published to make sure I didn't write anything harmful. In his own words, he is going to "scrutinize" it. After the meeting, I walked to Mrs. Bedell's room, told her what happened, then went to first period and had an emotional breakdown.

I physically couldn't stop crying. Not because of the way the principal treated me, but the fact that I cannot say what I want in this editorial. I have always thought Suburban was a marvelous school. I always felt, as a member of the paper and as a student, that I could say my opinions. I am always respectful in my writing; it's not my intention to attack anyone. But now, my words my be muffled because one teacher's ego may be bruised.

I am enraged, and deeply saddened, but most of all, I feel like I am under attack and have no power. What can I do? It's all up to Mr. Roesch what goes in the paper. Don't I, as a decent human being, as a student, as a citizen of the United States of America have the write to freely express the opinions of, not only myself, but a good majority of the student body? This goes against my rights, and yet, because the school funds the printing of our paper, I cannot do anything to stop them. Mr. Roesch could take a big red marker and draw lines through my hard work, my precisely-crafted words, and I couldn't do a thing to change his mind.

If he chooses to censor my article, as I assume he will, I fully plan on fighting it. I will go to anyone from the school board right on up to the supreme court. This is not right, and something needs to be done to stop it.

I will hopefully find out his decision tomorrow, so I will keep everyone posted. Please, please, please, just wish for the best. I don't know what else I can do at this point. I'm just hoping that he makes the right choice, and let my voice be heard.