THE ECHO

by Zoey Jeffries

Every morning, announcements ring through the classrooms of Avon High School to invite students to stand as the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. However, a number of students hold off in joining.

In the past, the Pledge has been used to show loyalty to the United States, but in the average high schooler’s world, it’s the beginning of their day. So why do students sit down for the pledge? Freshman Mason Mavis revealed why he chooses to stay seated in the mornings.

“Because my legs hurt and sometimes, I was tired in the morning and don’t want to get up,” Mavis said.

Peer pressure can also lead to some students staying seated in the mornings. Students that already don’t want to get up often won’t find the aspect of standing up alone appealing. Sophomore Macy Montgomery said she didn’t want to be out of place standing up amongst others sitting down.

“I don’t stand for the Pledge because most people don’t do it, and once I’ve gotten situated in my seat, I don’t want to stand up unless necessary,” Montgomery said.

To some students, the Pledge is just routine and isn’t a big deal. They listen to the announcement and move on with their day. The average high schooler isn’t running on much energy, so the extra boost it takes to stand every morning can lack appeal.

“There’s really nothing to it. As long as I don’t have to get up, as long as I can hear, it doesn’t matter,” Mavis said.

Other students, like freshman Kendra Dawson, are skeptical about why the Pledge is prioritized every day and not less often. She sees it as a strange thing to value every day of the school year.

“Yeah, it’s kind of stupid, honestly. Like I get what it’s for America and stuff, but why am I really pledging?” Dawson said.

But not everyone thinks the Pledge is a deep subject that is something to argue about. Montgomery says reciting it every morning comes with a comical side. She finds it amusing watching her peers participate.

 “Everyone just stands up and speaks to the flag in a monotone voice and I just find it kind of humorous and strange,” Montgomery said.

The students that don’t have any connection to the Pledge or flag often don’t associate it with importance to their life. The Pledge can fade into the background after so many years of hearing it.

“I don’t think standing for the Pledge is important, and it doesn’t mean much to me. I honestly just tune it out since I hear it so often,” Montgomery said.

Some students sit down during the pledge is that they don’t view it as important enough to interrupt their morning. Students can be tired and focused on other things that cause the Pledge to get pushed aside.

“I don’t think it’s important. I sit down during the Pledge,” Dawson said.