This article is part of a PRO/CON opinion piece on the return of Powderpuff. To view the opposing side, see here.
Diane Lee
Staff Writer
When Mira Costa’s former principal Julie Ruisinger decided last year to cancel the Powderpuff game for the current 2010-11 school year, many students were disappointed that they would not be able to play in the annual dance team fundraiser. However, Ruisinger made the right decision in choosing to end Powderpuff football at Mira Costa.
Costa’s current English teacher Shannon Vaughan started Powderpuff games 20 years ago when she was the coach of the dance team. Powderpuff has become known through the years for participants’ competitiveness and fondness for pranks. Students have vandalized opponents’ houses in the past, and the game itself has become dangerous due to the rough and occasionally violent in-game conduct between the teams.
According to Vice Principal Paula Spence, Powderpuff participants vandalized opponents’ homes on the eve of last year’s game, ranging from basic toilet-papering to the significant damage of property and the writing of vulgar and malicious comments around a junior student’s home.
Vandalism is considered a misdemeanor and can result in jail time for the perpetrator, even when that person is a minor.
When the administration was informed of the incident, it decided to proceed with the game for that year without the seniors involved in the prank but discontinue the event for future years.
The Powderpuff game should not be brought back in the future because it creates unnecessary hostility and promotes cruel behavior. Competition is a good way to promote hard work and sportsmanship, but in recent years Powderpuff has promoted unsportsmanlike behavior, illegal activities and violent conflict.
Aside from simple vandalism, the malicious comments left on the junior student’s house are also considered a form of emotional bullying. According to the American Humane Association, emotionally bullied students are more likely to develop mental illnesses like depression, which can last well into adulthood and can greatly impact a person’s life.
Another detriment of the Powderpuff game is that it can cause many injuries on the field. The rivalry between the teams brings about rough play. Vaughan created a behavior contract and a medical release form 10 years ago to minimize the roughness, but these have not sufficiently restrained the players.
Additionally, according to Spence, the administration has made attempts to work with Powderpuff players to reduce the hostility of the game with little success.
Those who support bringing back Powderpuff argue that the games build class spirit. Instead of building class spirit, however, the games have built dangerous and violent animosity between the two classes.
There are other ways to build class spirit without endangering students and promoting both illegal and immoral behavior. Student government and the dance team can cooperate to create a new way to raise money for the dance team and provide a fun way for each class to bond.
The Powderpuff game should not be revived at any point in the future. It incites student conflicts, twhreatens to break the school’s unity and has had disastrous consequences for many of its participants. For the safety of students and the prevention of student misdemeanors, Powderpuff should forever remain a part of Mira Costa’s past.
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