Alright, it’s time for us to come clean. We’re done lying and back-peddling, so we’re going to be honest about “Old Glory-Gate.”
You found us out. It’s true. The halls of Londonderry High School are saturated with Bernie supporters and Social Justice Warriors [SJW’s] that hate Trump so much that the sight of the American flag sickens them.
That’s the true reason we “banned” the flag.
This school is so horrified by Ol’ Glory that every day at 9:00 a.m. Lancer Nation recites the pledge, and at every school event we play the national anthem. We also raise money for needy veterans, have memorials honoring alumni who have served in the military, and we send care packages to those currently deployed. We even have a whole World at War class dedicated to educating students about veterans of foreign wars and how war affects our society.
And this is only a fraction of what Lancer Nation does to honor the United States.
Clearly, LHS is incredibly unpatriotic, right?
If you think so, then you have obviously never set foot in this high school.
To sum up the character of an entire school population based on one bullet point of one flyer is truly shameful.
Not to mention the bullet point in question has appeared on every pep rally flyer given to team captains since 2012 and has never been a center of controversy before.
Students and parents need to understand that when they are concerned about an action taken by the school, they should not go to social media to ask questions. Instead, concerned community members should pick up the phone and call Mr. Parent to get an accurate answer rather than cowering behind their Twitter handle.
Members of Lancer Nation are outraged that people who don’t even know us (or who we thought knew us better) would dare to insult our beloved Mr. Juster and Mr. Parent. Maligning them so cruelly—especially with accusations that aren’t based in fact—breaks our hearts.
Instead of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions, here’s an idea: Read all points of view and gather information. Don’t just read a headline or uninformed Facebook post to get what you think is the “whole” story. If everyone had looked just a little bit deeper, then perhaps this whole situation wouldn’t have gotten out of hand so quickly.
Let these past three days be a lesson for all members of the LHS community: Remember to ask questions and get accurate facts before blindly hitting the retweet or share button.
The LHS staff and administration are open to all questions and constructive criticisms that students and parents may have. So when you see something that concerns you or triggers an emotion inside of you, don’t jump on the scandal bandwagon and feed the flames.
It is easy to get caught up in your emotions—especially with topics that are important to you.
But you must put the facts first.
At LHS we are taught to do proper research and check our facts before coming to a conclusion. We only wish that the rest of the community could have given us enough respect to do the same.
Being passionate about the American flag and being willing to protest in its defense is honorable.
Just make sure the battle you’re fighting actually exists before you seek to wage a war.
Eddie Whitcomb
Sep 25, 2017 at 11:05 am
Hey that’s pretty good.
Adrienne Lafond
Sep 24, 2017 at 2:32 pm
THANK YOU! This is the Londonderry that I know. The Londonderry that respects and honors their vets. The Londonderry that every day at 9:00 a.m says the pledge. The LHS that at every event we play or have a student sing the National Anthem. The LHS that has a club called Blue Star Lancers that raises money for needy veterans and sends care packages to those currently deployed. The Londonderry that has memorials honoring townspeople who have served in the military. No one followed the chain of command that should have been followed. This claim, unnecessarily, got out of control. What should’ve happened was: the parent should have verified information with Mr. Juster FIRST. Not post on the Mom’s Page and have the whole town ranting on the thread. IF they were dissatisfied with Mr. Juster’s response, they then could have gone to Mr. Parent, and continued onto the Superintendent. IF it was still not resolved it would’ve gone to School Board. Contacting the news sources was a childish act of the parents. The misinformation and claims that were spread hurt Lancer Nation. I hope that we have all learned from this incident.
Sincerely, Adrienne Lafond, Proud LHS student
Anne
Sep 22, 2017 at 7:50 am
Perfectly written article. We are proud of our school our town and our country. And in Londonderry we honor the flag and all those who have sacrificed both past and present to protect it.
Joan Romboli
Sep 22, 2017 at 6:20 am
Now this is one “educated” post. I would hope this one would go as viral as the original. Thank you. All Lancers should take pride in being able to understand the truth and honoring those same educators that were berated by others with a different agenda. #lancerproud
Anne Bartlett
Sep 22, 2017 at 5:53 am
So well stated. And so true that anyone slamming LHS for not being patriotic has not set foot inside the building. Keep up the good fight Lancer Nation!!
Joe Green LHS Alum
Sep 22, 2017 at 3:17 am
This is incredible! Very well put and the scarcastic and humorous tone was perfect! It was really sad to see so many people not understand that point! Always proud of the Lancer Spirit!
Lancer Alum
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:49 pm
I think the one the thing you failed to research was your editorial was over 5 years old and unless a current student is in the 16/17 grade no one would be aware. You failed in that area and acted as if everyone reads the archives of a high school paper. It’s a public school and parents are allowed to ask. They pay for you to have a school. Respect it.
Although I do not agree with what happened, half the parents suddenly agree once they were given an explanation and act as if they weren’t part of it. Let’s be honest here. No one knew the rule exsisted. You thought about the wording. You picked a side and ran with it.
And let’s talk about Facebook. It’s a public forum for people to debate and discuss. Look at any news post. It’s open season on any topic. Here is what people need to know. If you don’t like it, delete, turn it off or block. No one was lynched or dragged through the dirt but you made it out to be. He didn’t want the attention or the fake praise, he wanted to do his job well like always. Some parents did not know the reason for something and they posted on a board that is filled with questions. It’s what it’s there for kids. People want to know about a topic they ask. If they want opinions, they ask…. you just took it to the extreme by arguing with an article from 2013. Way to go. I’m sorry I can’t pat you on the back and say well done because you were a part of the stirring in every twitter feed possible. Next time, the adult thing to do is stay out of it because most students just wanted to focus on Mack Plaque, not this drama being stirred by parents and the school paper.
Sandra Lagueux
Sep 21, 2017 at 9:06 pm
So well said!! Any one who knows the heart of Lancer Nation was troubled by the recent baseless accusations. Thank you for speaking on this so well!
Kim Donovan
Sep 21, 2017 at 6:27 pm
This piece is beautifully written, and it brings up so many amazing points! Kudos to the Lancer Spirit staff!
Corrie Nartiff
Sep 21, 2017 at 3:58 pm
INCREDIBLY WELL DONE. You have stated in the most mature way exactly what needed to be said. Im am proud of all of you that have handled this horrific display of immaturity by adults with such grace. Bravo to you all…
Mac
Sep 21, 2017 at 3:31 pm
We are in violent agreement. Well said.
Michelle Carrozzella
Sep 21, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Excellent and so well written. I have also been angry about how this all went down this week at the hands of people in our own community. Those people should be ashamed of themselves for setting off what they did. Taking to social media instead of being a grown up and addressing this with the school first not only maligned the names of Mr Juster and Mr. Parent but could have put them and our kids in that school in danger!!! And many parents hold you all personally accountable for that. There are people in this world who use a story like this to incite and carry out violence and you put everyone in that school out there to be targets. God forbid something happen at this school, believe me we all know the people who started this and we won’t forget.
Danielle Loschiavo
Sep 21, 2017 at 1:13 pm
THANK YOU!!! 🙂
Brian Courtemanche
Sep 21, 2017 at 11:24 am
Now that’s what I’m talking about. Great work to you guys on this. I love the fact that we are fighting back, yes fighting back, against people who have no idea what they are talking about. Get the facts, then form your conclusion. I’ve been angry all week about this and its great to see this COMMUNITY here at LHS rise as one and state to the rest of the outside world that we will NOT be attacked and take it. Its also been great to see all the LHS Alumni defend our school as well. This is one of the most patriotic places I know and I am proud to teach here. Great work Lancer Spirit staff. Once a Lancer always a Lancer
Chrystena Ewen
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:52 am
Well done.