By Harold Keller

It seems like we were just talking about graduations and summer vacations and, already, another school year is just around the corner.  How time flies!

With the beginning of school, we also welcome another football season. All schools have rules to keep order and teach discipline.  Football coaches have goals for their teams and strict training rules for the players. Parents join PTA groups and men participate in Booster Clubs to support the football teams. If you polled all the parents of school-aged children, 100 percent would not favor alcohol in schools or profane language in the classroom. As the school year and football season begin, let’s all send a positive message to our young people.

To the coaches, on behalf of the young people of whom you are in charge: Please refrain from using profane or vulgar language.  Perversion of the tongue crushes the spirit. To the wise, cursing is neither attractive nor fitting in any situation.

If a teacher used vulgar or profane language in the classroom, we would be outraged. The school boards would not allow such behavior. Parents would demand the person responsible for such behavior be dismissed as unfit to teach their children. However, some of these same parents would think nothing of allowing a coach to exhibit the same ugly behavior on a football field. Remember, it’s still school.

The other parents whom I would like to challenge are the football Booster Club members. Don’t you think it’s time you start sending the message to your children that alcohol has no place on school grounds? There is no reason that meetings cannot be held without alcohol being served. We definitely don’t want drugs in our schools, yet we allow alcohol to be served on school grounds every week at Booster Club meetings.

Alcohol is a drug. Yes, it is legal and you have a right to indulge if you so choose, but on school grounds with the idea of promoting excellence in athletics? Let’s get real! How hypocritical! If you want to send a message to your children, I challenge you to take a stand.

To all the coaches: I wish you a successful season!

To those of you who are guilty: I ask that you correct your behavior.

To the parents: I encourage you to get involved in your schools.  Join the PTA, participate in the Booster Clubs, but while doing so, let’s send the right message to our children. They are depending on your leadership.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.