As a publisher, I wouldn't normally respond to articles appearing in our newspaper.

But as a parent and a fan, I feel compelled to respond to reporter Samantha Beal's story in Friday's Butler Eagle about the parent who thinks the student section at Mars is too loud.

Really? It is a football game.

It is an outdoor activity, and it is supposed to be fun for the students. Where does the concept of the pep band or the marching band not being part of the student body exist?

Mars isn't the first school district to consider separating its high school band from the student section in its football stadium stands.

Sadly, however, the decision never involves the group most affected — the students. It is either parents or band directors asking for the division, and in most cases they are misguided.

For example, years ago Butler Area Senior High School moved its band almost 100 yards from where the student body sits and from where cheerleaders try to rally the crowd. The district's reasoning at the time was that there was too much interaction between the band and the other students.

Really? Kids rallying together in the spirit of supporting their high school and its athletes, cheerleaders and band members is a bad thing?

The other issue at the time involved students standing during the game and being a distraction to others. This is a student activity involving student athletes and student entertainment?

As the father of four very active students, I attended nearly all Butler games, both at home and away, from 1992 through 2004.

I may have missed four games in all those years, rain or shine. I thoroughly enjoyed the athletes, the band, the cheerleaders and the student sections and occasionally even a few parents.

I found it ridiculous when the school district tried to stifle the enthusiasm of the students with new rules against standing, chanting and making signs. I was embarrassed when certain parents organized the practice of walking out of the games as soon as the band finished the halftime show.

I saw no reason for fans to not sit and watch the band's performance or for the band parents to boldly display their indifference for the players and cheerleaders. I think this did a lot to damage relations between the student organizations.

I don't want Mars Area School District to make the same mistake. You have a great student body and amazing teams.

I say hooray for the student section. I say hooray for the band. I say hooray for the athletes. I say boo for any parent, any administrator, director or anyone else who would discourage a student from being as loud and supportive as possible. Also, as part of the post-game celebration — as well as the pregame festivities — let's hear the band loud and clear.

Apathy among the students is a growing societal problem. Showing support for each other would go a long way toward improving relations among all students. Banning a group of enthusiastic students to a corner of the end zone won't help.

Ron Vodenichar