Children might behave better if parents kept their eyes on them

Editor:

As the mom of an Evans High senior who was present at the Evans vs. Lakeside basketball game on Dec. 6, as an employee of Evans High School, and as the wife of one of the assistant principals of Evans High, I feel that I must respond to the Dec. 11 letter by Nancy Edenfield regarding the above-mentioned basketball game and the actions of the Evans High students.

I sat on the student end of the court, between both the Evans High and Lakeside High sides with my husband, and was witness to the actions of Evans and Lakeside students. I, too, feel that the rivalry and taunting of both sides can be in good fun. But that night, things were taken overboard.

Edenfields letter makes it sound as though Evans was the only group yelling obscenities. This is completely untrue. ... Yes, the Evans students did yell very inappropriately when the Lakeside cheerleaders took the court. But when the Evans Dance Team performed at halftime, several Lakeside students stood in the stands and performed extremely distasteful, vulgar dancing. One of them was asked to leave by a Columbia County sheriffs deputy, and the entire student section of Lakeside applauded for the student.

Also, the Lakeside students yelled inappropriate things about our homecoming queen and called her by name in their cheer. I sat close enough to the front from of the Lakeside students, and these students used inappropriate language throughout the entire game.

Yes, our principal was at the game, and he was very upset about the behavior of both EHS and LHS students. The following week, he made an announcement to the entire school that he would not tolerate any more such behavior... .

I dont know the solution to this problem and thank goodness I am not in a position to have to come up with one. As a parent, I know that sitting where I could see my daughter was very beneficial. She was standing on the front row of the EHS student section but did not participate in the yelling of the various cheers. ... Maybe more parents should actually watch their kids and witness their behavior. I think many would be surprised.

Edenfields comment about Evans being rednecks and trashy did nothing to help her cause. There is a lot of class at Evans High School. There also are a lot of classless people at Lakeside High, as well as at any other school in America.

Pointing the finger and stereotyping Evans is immature and classless in itself. My family has many friends at Lakeside High who are teachers, staff and students, and I value those friendships. But I am very proud to be one of those Evans rednecks.

Ellen Segraves

Evans