At high school sporting events, the energy from the student section can make or break the atmosphere. The chants, cheers, and excitement from students don’t only fill the gym, they fuel the players on the court. Ultimately, students should have the right to express themselves freely in the stands, as long as their words remain positive and respectful.
Sophomore Ella Iseminger believes that allowing students to speak their minds helps the team more than it harms.
“For the student section, I feel like the students should be able to say what they want, because it’s just helping the energy levels on the court positively,” Iseminger said.
For athletes, hearing their peers cheer loudly with some creative chants can boost confidence and motivation. For example, during a volleyball game, there was a cheer about the opposing team starting their buses; it fueled the team with excitement to end the game and get those last couple of points.
Restricting that expression might take away one of the most exciting parts of high school sports: the shared spirit between players and fans.
The Lake Stevens Policy 5510– Freedom of Expression specifically states, “The Lake Stevens School District believes that free expression of student opinion is an important part of education in a democratic society.”
This means that Freedom of Speech is not just a right but a key part of learning, and students are encouraged to debate ideas freely. An example of this would be when the LSHS student section was cheering for the volleyball team, and was told to not chant anymore because it wasn’t respectful, despite it being playful. This shouldn’t be allowed since student support impacts the flow and energy of the game.
“We were wanting to bark, and so we started barking like dogs. And Pearson came up to us and said, that is not school appropriate, or it wasn’t school appropriate, was not the word he used, but it wasn’t respectful for the other team, in a way for us to be barking at them while they’re serving,” senior Ted Kuhrau said.
Overall, this reveals that students are being limited to what they can say in a playful game, even when the chants aren’t disrespectful and have the intentions to distract the other team. This is a common occurrence in high school athletics, meaning it is to be expected that opposing student sections are going to try and distract.
However, administration emphasizes the importance of keeping the energy positive at sporting events.
“If we focus on positive cheers for our teams and our kids, then there shouldn’t be any consequences coming that way,” Student Life and Leadership Coordinator Scott Sifferman explained. He noted that student sections, when organized and enthusiastic, bring life to games.
“And then when Kamiak made a play, I know that we had a significant lead at that point, they started just saying, scoreboard. Okay, whether they do that? I don’t [care, it’s] whatever. As long as it sort of stays in a positive light,” Siffermen said.
His message is clear: Students should be free to cheer and express themselves, but that freedom works best when used responsibly.
The impact of the student section is something athletes notice too. Speaking as an athlete, the student section is a key factor in the energy of the game, positive or negative.
“Oh yes, yes, our student sections are lit sometimes. They sometimes are, or they can get bored and quiet, but when they are positive, it definitely pushes us,” soccer player and goalie senior Tessa Anastasi said.
Players thrive on the encouragement and excitement from their peers, proving that student voices matter both in the stands and on the scoreboard. It can help fuel someone to hit a little harder or go all out for a dig. Ultimately, giving students the right to speak freely in student sections isn’t only about words; it’s about the school spirit, community, and connection.
As long as cheers remain respectful and positive, students should be encouraged to express themselves loudly and proudly. After all, the energy they bring can inspire athletes, unite the crowd, and turn an ordinary game into something unforgettable. Many players work hard to raise crowd attendance, and silencing them can diminish the fun and their desire to show up.
