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Show APRIL 4, 2001 WASATCH COUNTY COURIER _ Administrators Say Wasatch Safe From anaewids Hazing prevalent practice. Recently, a federal jury awarded $250,000 to Brian Seamons, a former Sky View High football player, who suffered while bound to a towel rack, naked. Seamons was kicked off the team after he complained. Seamons’ 1993 incident encouraged the state to ban hazing in schools. | cussions. and. mediation. Students are encouraged | dents were punished for paddling classmates. Salt Lake City’s East High School officials suspended a group of — 10 seniors for shaving student’s heads. _. Midvale’s Hillcrest High and Roy High suspended football players five years ago, and a few years ago Bountiful students were expelled -ninth-graders. the for assaulting Students defend the harassment in name of “tradition.” Administrators and teachers say there is not room in their schools for such rites of passage. Victims are unlikely to complain. _. .. Jt cannot be tolerated, ” said Vicci ~°Gappmayer, ‘Wasatch > High School (WHS) Principal. “There is harassment going on in the halls, group related peer pressure. We deal with that on an ongoing basis, where it’s just verbal. Never serious, like paddling. So ‘we don’t get it to physical, so far, nock on wood.” Hazing is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person and is part of an initiation or continued membership. in a team or group. Wasatch schools’ handbooks specifically. define hazing, and teachers watch closely. It’s not an issue here.” VICCI] GAPPMAYER WHS Principal to meet with coun- A few months ago, Layton High stu- athletic teams. selors for assessments, and serious or repeat offenses lead to administrators recommending outside thera- has occurred junior Wasatch’s proactively ensure at highs. work to younger students learn the don’t have some practice with older students,” Case said. “Our policy is non toleration. If, indeed, we find any, we make sure we address it immediately and all parties are heard : -and we put a stop to it.” Case has not encountered having: nor has he heard of incidences at other schools in Wasatch County. ; is unac- ceptable. Wasatch Mountain Junior ish (WMJH) distributes a handbook, - which clarifies the schools role in haz-ing prevention. It states staff may deal “Usually (the counselors) get it with misconduct in a manner that before we even know about it. The kids assures students. due process. are open with counselors, who try to Repercussions including counseling, deescalate it,” Gappmayer said. detention, alternatives to suspension WHS counselor Jaelyn Wallace said and suspension. she is not aware of hazing at the school _ “We’ve been very fortunate and and has not received any complaints. really have not seen hazing in the last A few suspensions have occurred _two or three years. We have a very at the high school. In fact, police and strict policy,” said WMJH Principal the county sheriff were called in durDennis Bacon. “We have assemblies ing a couple incidences—including - early in the year to talk about these one. last year. issues so students understand we want “Safety is always my ‘first concern,” our school to be a caring, nurturing Gappmayer promises. “It is usually over some love triangle, or kids’ pick- ing that escalates. It is not very common. We all need to work on it and teach these kids they need to be safe for the school, andthe school meets to _ be safe for them.” Hazing and initiation have eer place among the nation’s sports teams. But WHS hasn’t encountered much, according to its principal. “We haven't had any complaints with athletic teams.’ Our coaches watch closely.” Gappmayer said. “It’s ACADEMIC problems inherent Administrators and teachers believe the lack of hazing in the county is due to the friendly, close-knit environment. “T think it is the nature of our community,” Gappmayer said. “There are a lot of people here who like each other. _ There are not a lot of issues pitting one group against another. Schools are a reflection of the. community they live in.” be Email: kirsten@wasatchcountycourier.com ii the serious assault and sale, distribution or possession of illegal substances. The newly formed Rocky Mountain Middle School has been fortunate, as well. Principal Pat Case said sportsrelated hazing has not been present at the school because Wasatch County has a unique system in which sports for certain age groups are county gov- = erned. | | “Simply by the luck of the draw we Sinan to recognize that.” WHS sports team coaches could not be reached for comment. While hazing is had any commost often noted at high schools, it AN carne relatively: immune schools Talent speaks for itself and the kids Wa | ar seem Wasatch. battling of | hazing. are Stricter measures at a junior high school include mandatory one-year suspensions for weapons possession, tA yneniei schools environment.” ninth-graders participate on varsity teams, and they are pretty welcome. Pt tah not an issue here. We've had a few Tr fail students oie of the definition. A study by New York’s Alfred University reports half of the high school students who belong to organizations are hazed. Colleges and Universities around the nation constantly battle hazing, which often ends. in tragic alcohol related injuries “We haven't and deaths. Wasatch High plaints with involves students — of hazing in disOur coaches “COURIER STAFF. PROFILE a KIRSTEN SHAW TARAH LINFORD SPEECH AND DRAMA _The stage! The lights! The stress! Tarah Linford has been acting her whole life, and enjoys every minute of it. Her favorite role was Abby umes Saree 08) ineOCtabh : atibecriantd . hil aabaitaah aaekc Atel ideo . Street ©+ Midway, UT 654- 2661 Tiffen te it artnet a nate ee ase = sented aie nie len il Wasatch ZI 0 Fast Mau eeeaciain COURIER WASATCH COUN Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace. Tarah has always loved performing and public speaking. After all, the whole world’s a stage and we are the players. ‘ om alee td . cated se hia eta tine a -< deeeete Robards says * hannah he “THIS IS A DOGGONE GOOD BUY” Sponsored by Contractor’ S Own. Lots of extras on newer cul de sac in Midway. 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