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This has been a year of change for
the Butte Falls School District. One
of the biggest changes involves the
new A.S.P.I.R.E. program, which has
successfully elevated the academic
bar for students who wish to partici-
pate in all co-curricular activities,
which includes all sports, clubs and any
other activities that extend outside
ne classroom curriculum. This pro-
gram was decided upon after a lengthy
process
process that
that included
included input
input from the
the
staff, coaches, students and commu-
nity, which included a formal debate
held at the high school last fall. BFHS
Student Government students, along
with their advisor, Mr. Bone, played a
role in preparing for this process.
BFHS seniors have a required gov-
ernmental participation component for
their Government class which provides
the students with unlimited possibili-
ties to become aware and involved in
the government process. Many of the
seniors included the 'Great Debate’ as
one of these experiences. Mrs.
LeFever, their government teacher,
felt that their ref lections are worth
sharing with the community. So sit
back and enjoy a fun read!
M i c h a e l H a n s o n stated, “The Butte
Falls High School Debate on October
2, 2002 was a great learning experi-
ence for me in many ways. I improved
my speaking skills and also learned how
to argue points tactfully. The de-
bate was centered around academic
and co-curricular activities regarding
eligibility. Different points consisted
of maintaining grade standards, con-
sequences of not meeting these stan-
dard requirements, as well as reasons
why we should change the new rules
which were trying to be implemented
into the system at the first of the
year. The debate was a prime time to
witness the schools government sys-
tem and j ;+«,
its representatives at work. «
C h r i s C o p e l a n d also
i‘ participated
fered the follow-
on the . panel and offeree
ing overview of his experience. “Well,
the first thing I had to do was dig up
some nice spiffy clothes from my
closet. Then, I looked at the outline
for the debate that Josh Wetzel and
...— me.
_ When we
Michael Hanson gave
made z it to the gym, we sat down at
table, along with
our designated
<
Amanda
Newby and Mr. Harrington.
.... ' “
We were ready to debate student par-
ticipationinextracurricularactivities
in relation to their grades, especially
D's and F's. The five of us were try-
ing to keep some of the old participa-
tion and eligibility requirements the
same as the past. We were up against
Mrs. Gorman, Mrs. Warren, and
Mardell Smith. BFHS students as well
ascitizensof Butte Fallsattended the
debate."
S>F s ! b 9
T r e v o r H e r s o m attended the de-
bate and stated, “I wish I could have
been down there to argue against the
teachers. If we ever nave to do this
again, I will ask to be in the debate,
Other than that, it was very interest-
ing; the students' minds were heard,
kind of, and so was the administration,
This really did help out to smooth
things over with Mr. Pine and thestu-
dent body as well. If he hadn't done
this debate, I think he would have had
some big problems on his hands. It
also gave the students, or at least me,
a sense that we can be heard if we go
through the proper channels."
C o d y K e l l e y , Ms. Torres, Suzy
Ford, John Huey, Joyce Hailicka and
Twi la Barber served as the judges
who came up with a compromise plan
following the debate, which has been
dubbed the A.S.P.I.R.E. program. Cody
stated, “I took part in the lively de-
bate as a judge. I watched the de-
bate and then the other judges and
myself went to the library and dis-
cussed what we thought the new eli-
gibility rule should be. It took us a
very long time to decide on each indi-
vidual part of the new rule because
we haa to make something that was
fair to both sides of the conf lict. In
the end, Mr. Pine and Josh Wetzel de
cided on a compromise similar to our
suggestions, but a little different."
After reflecting on all of his gov-
ernmental experiences, Cody said,
“This was the most important one of
my governmental experiences. I was
in a room with faculty members and
community membersand I was treated
as an equal. My ideas were consid-
ered. I was able get more involved
with the actual process and make a
difference, no matter how small that
difference may be. I now know that I
would rather get involved in the local
levels of government as opposed to
higher state or federal levels, because
at the local level you do not become
just another face in the crowd. Your
voice can be heard."
A m a n d a N e w b y attended a school
board meeting regarding this issue in
addition to serving on the student
panel. Amanda had many things to say
about her experience, “I have never
really had much respect for our gov-
ernment, but then again, I have never
really understood it either. Having to
do political involvement as a require-
ment for our government class gave
me the opportunity to become involved
with the government. So instead of
degrading the system, I got involved
with it. Taking part in the debate for
our eligibility policy gave me the op-
portunity to change the school system.
The schools play a big part in the gov-
ernment. I had the opportunity say
that I was a part of something that
will change the educational life of our
underclassman."
Amanda added,
“Through my variety of experiences
with political involvement, I realize
that our government does play a big
role in even the simplest of lives.
hit the kids hard. I did not personally
have anything to do at this debate, but
as a student at BFHS, I felt that my
voice was heard with my peers f ight-
ing for our rights. I agree that play-
ing sports is a privilege, but on the
other hand, would the students that
are failing be willing to come to school
more often if you take away their op
portunity to play sports?" Krystle also
noted that “our governmental system
at the school is based on our United
States government. The experience
that I gained from watching this de-
bate played a key role in how I look at
our government today. I now under
stand and respect it, where as I used
to not know anything about it, or for
that matter, care. If this opportu
nity arose again, I would jump at the
chance to be one of the students sit
ting in the hot seat representing our
school. Things may or may not change
for the good, but change will happen
wherever we go in life, and will always
be changing in government."
J a m i e N e l s o n felt that it might not
have been possible for some individu-
als to meet the new standard, and she
expressed concern that some stu-
dents would not be able to participate
in the activities that provide oddi
tional opportunities. Jamie reflected,
“Now that the new standard has been
in play for about four months, I am
satisfied with the results. I have
found out that every individual at
BFHS tried to the best of their abil-
ity to meet the new standard."
C o n n i e H a b e r l e r added, “I was lis-
tening to the debate from the begin-
ning to the end, and I think that hold-
ing a debate was the best thing that
Mr. Pine could have done in that situ-
ation. The students told him how they
felt and asked him and the teachers
what they might not have felt com-
fortable asking in class. They might
have been too shy or afraid of the
< answer. . Now the public, parents,
grandparents, and friends have : an KJIHGFE
idea of what happens in school."
T o n y B e a l s summed up the expe-
rience eloquently, “There were many
mixed feelings. Students and teach-
ers debateci formally to come to a
resolution. Opposing sides brought le-
gitimate accusations. The point I'm
getting at is that we all have disagree-
ments, whether they be politically or
socially, which can be handled in many
different situations. Debates reflect
the maturity of our society Ittaught
me
can be
be handled
handled in a
me that
that issues
issues can
serious matter, with the ultimate goal
being to come to a resolution. Many
people
people me
may have felt that Mr. Pine's
proposals
HVll> but
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'; i were harsh and crude,
opposing sides realized that there is
one purpose, ------------------
EDUCATION, and what
we all do with it. If every student
gave the eff o r t . / t h e y ......
a l f would
---- 1 suc
< ceed. This relates to
;,iwu
o issues.
real ; ;;;
life
A person will decide how far he or she
will go in life. Every being has a cer-
tain potential. It's how
i i In
low you
youuseit.
summary, this debate has shown
------ 1 me
the
me significance
sigmticance of
ot 'orderly
‘orderly arguing" -
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7
a system our government uses that can
be applied to every day life "
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