Letter to the editor

Support cheering strike, students

I’ve always thought it would take one hell of an article in the Student Voice to make me leave my coffee and bagel on Friday morning to write the editor. Kudos, Nick Sortedahl.

I am writing in response to the Oct. 20 front page article, “School spirit goes on strike.”

The gist of the article, for you casual Voice readers, is as follows: The UW-River Falls Cheer and Stunt squad is no longer able to perform stunts because of changes in American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators’ safety regulations. In an act of protest, the squad refused to perform at recent events. Instead they had a sign, “No stunting = no cheering.”

Although I strongly disagree with the regulations, I’ll save it. My real problem is with how people reacted. Allow me to refresh you...

• From (newly) former Cheer and Stunt Advisor Jennifer Willis-Rivera: “It saddens me that they would take this action. They have not been prohibited from cheering, only from stunting.”
• From Homecoming Committee Chair Marcus Bonde: “Even if they can’t do stunts, they can still cheer.”
• From UW-RF freshman Michelle Johnson: “If they’re not going to cheer, they shouldn’t come.” Johnson also added that the squad’s demonstration “reflected poorly on UW-RF.”

Since the article gave only one-sided comments, I felt it necessary that somebody speak up on behalf of the squad. I am appalled that a gutsy expression of opinion such as this received only criticism and negative feedback. These students should be commended for standing up for what they believe in, not chastised.

In conclusion, I feel that this article "reflected poorly" on UWRF, not the protest. I salute our Cheer and Stunt squad. Let me know if you get tired of holding that sign, girls, and I’ll come hold it for awhile.

Jerome McNamara
Student