The beat on Auburn Schools

The Auburn School district is having a competion within the school’s to see who can come up with the district’s new logo.  The logo must include the districts new slogan “Engage Educate Empower.” and fit within the other required guidelines. Designs must be sumbmitted by Friday, January 8, 2010. For more infomation vist this link.

The Troy InVoice just publlised it’s 2nd issue of the year. I’d like to showcase this opinion from one of our editorial staff. The paper will be published online soon, if you wish to have a hardcopy stop by Auburn High School’s main office and ask for one.

Pledge provides a moment to reflect

By Robin Ball

 “I pledge allegiance [giggling], to the flag [laughing], of the United States of America [talking].” Has this ever happened to you? The bell in first, second or third period rings, you hear the beep and someones voice asking you to stand for the flag salute. How many people stand in your class? Do you stand for the pledge? Not only do they not stand but they talk, laugh, and gossip for the entire 15 second salute.

Sure only 15 seconds people say. Why should it matter if its only 15 seconds right? Well I have to ask why people can’t shut their mouths for 15 seconds, stand, put their hand on their heart and pledge to the freedoms they have been given. I want to know the excuses people have to be flat out rude.

Here’s one I’ve heard “It’s my right to not stand for the pledge.” Wow, lets look at the irony in that statement: I wont stand for the pledge because it’s my freedom not to stand. Think for a second, you were given that freedom by the flag that you aren’t respecting. Would you completely, purposely disrespect your mother? When she was the one who gave you life? Now I know that there are some people who think they are smart saying “Yeah I would disrespect my mother.” I’m being serious here.

Remember when we were in the 4^th  grade or so and your teacher was shaken up and on the verge of tears, he or she said “Two buildings in New York city have just been hit by planes.” We didn’t truly understand then, but somehow we knew that something tragic had happened. We knew it had to do with our country, and that flag we salute everyday. For years after, I know that everyone stood to that flag and pledged to it. They didn’t try and be smart because it was not the time, we were united for once by the losses our country suffered.

How about the rude people who say that they don’t need to pledge because this is not their country? Although the majority of them are living here for the freedoms the land allows.

 I don’t know if it’s just me, but this just doesn’t make sense. It’s 15 seconds to pledge to all the men and women who have died for this country. Many of us take it for granted, and I just want all of you to look at what your wearing, that phone in your hand or on your desk, those headphones in your ears attached to that iPod in your pocket. Even this paper that you are reading right now, and so many other things that you wouldn’t have with out the symbol that flag represents. I know I sound like a sad commercial, like there should be sad music playing in the background, “For only a penny a day you could save this little girls life.” Well here’s a new quote for you to hold in the back of your head. “For only 15 seconds a day, you could show respect for your country.”