To the editor:

It was the fall of 1979, and I was a junior at a Twin Cities metro area high school. A group of approximately 35 junior and senior boys and girls formed a group and called ourselves the "howling wolves" after our school's nickname. We were an organized group that had sweatshirts with our school colors, proudly displaying our schools mascot on the front, with the slogan, "Look out, the howling wolves have arrived" on the back. Our group attended the varsity football games on Friday nights. During the second to last game of the season, we were competing against our archrival from across town. That day during school, the two senior "ring leaders" of the group were handing out some new cheers and antics/stunts that we were going to perform that evening. I remember some of us being a little nervous as these new ideas were a bit "spiced up" and might have "crossed the line." No profanity or racial slurs, just poor sportsmanship. I specifically remember about four or five of our group members not going to the game that night, as they were too nervous on what might happen to them if they were part of this group and someone was offended.

We went forth with these cheers and stunts, and I can remember some parents at half time removing their kids from the stands and taking them home. Please remember this was at a football game, not a volleyball match. I do not think the opposing crowd could even hear us. On Monday, I remember the assistant principal reading off the names of our group over the PA in school, asking us to all meet in the school's cafeteria. We were advised that all of us were no longer allowed at any after-school activities for the remainder of the fall season. We were also advised that we were suspended from participating in any activities for one week. This meant all of us in winter or spring athletics had to sit out one week of competition. I personally missed two basketball games. Were we upset, just as the NUHS students are? Yes! Did we feel it was an extreme punishment, just as the NUHS students do? Yes!

However, one MAJOR difference, our parents backed the school's decision. No parents demanding meetings, no parents calling the school administrators to complain, no Twin Cities media thinking it was newsworthy, no attorneys being sought out for legal advice, no students on television whining about how it is unfair. I understand the Eagle squadron shirts were worn the day after the students learned of the suspensions. Wow! If we would have worn our sweatshirts to school or been seen on television complaining, 1 would have not gone home ever again in fear for my safety. In addition to the school's punishment, I lost my driving privileges for three months and my curfew was 9 p.m. on weekends! Nothing more embarrassing than having my mom pick me up in our station wagon at 9 p.m. on a Saturday night at my girlfriend's house.

I work with a parent whose child was one that was caught that night at the NUHS gym. Because of my discussions with her and the closeness of my high school incident to the one at NUHS, I decided to write this letter. My co-worker confronted her child and learned some of the stuff that had been done throughout the season. She was appalled and told her child the punishment is doubled. What has happened to those kinds of parents?

All you parents that are backing your children should be ashamed of yourselves. What lessons are you teaching your children? I feared principals, police officers, coaches, teachers, and my parents when I got in trouble. It is not that way anymore with some families, and I think that is so depressing.

I can tell you that this topic was the discussion where I work and it was rather one-sided in support of ISD 88 Administration.

Alex Weingard

Mankato