By Andrew Wyshner ‘18, Commentary Editor

Newark Academy has allowed Senior Soldiers and a Spirit Week shirt with a gun on it, but now in 2017, Seal Team Seniors has been rejected. Many are upset with this news, interpreting it as a message that American heroes are offensive and supporting these heroes cannot be allowed within the school. In the end, the much tamer and, in my opinion, duller theme of “Senior Superheroes” was chosen. It felt like an unjust and unneeded intervention by the administration, as the theme Seal Team Seniors was chosen via a vote within the senior class.

Throughout the Newark Academy community, many were upset with the decision to change the theme after it was announced. Some students were stunned by the unexpected and unwelcome news. Nick Cicalese ‘18 was upset with the change, saying that he “can’t see anything problematic with a theme based on and honoring the US military, especially when the seniors four years ago were Senior Soldiers.” In addition, Jack Szlosek ‘18 was baffled, saying “I feel completely misled,” and that he really just wanted to know the truth of the situation. Senior Ben Leit offered a reason to why some were upset with the theme saying. “I personally dislike the idea of “Seal Team Seniors,” as I feel that it glamorizes war.” Senior Harry Echtman added “we all support the troops, the issue was just the implied brutal violence, and the way having such a theme would glorify the harsh reality of war while failing to honor the troops in any real and meaningful way. So I just think it would have been better to pick a theme that was less controversial for our final year.” While the original theme upset some members of the senior class, the altering of a Spirit Week theme was unprecedented.

Some may attempt to justify the change by saying that Spirit Week should be a time of unity, and when

not all are pleased with the theme, it must be reconsidered. I understand that the administration was put in a spot where there was no correct option, and they chose what was believed to be the best of many bad options. While I respect and acknowledge the decision made, I, like many others within the community, did not agree that the final decision was the best of options. Speaking on the change of theme, Mr. Bitler said “The Navy Seals are among our very toughest and bravest in the Armed Forces… A great many of the Seals have made the ultimate sacrifice – for you and for me – and for our progeny.  I am astounded that the seniors cannot honor these great heroes.  Personally, the Navy Seals are amongst those I hold in highest esteem.” A Spirit Week theme honoring Navy Seals would reinforce characteristics that all Newark Academy students strive for: dedication, courage and collaboration.

In the end, many may discard the issue claiming that it is just a Spirit Week theme, and there is no need to be upset about it. However, if the Spirit Week theme was truly meaningless, it would not have been changed. While nothing can reverse what has transpired, the community continues to discuss the change and it remains a topic of conversation within Newark Academy. I am pleased with the students in the senior class for not simply accepting the unprecedented change silently; the Class of 2018 should be proud of the crusade for America and honoring the best and the bravest of our great nation.