As the staff of Lake Zurich High School’s student newspaper, we were shocked when we read “A Lake Zurich junior is bucking against a ban on dirty dancing” (Page 1, Sept. 23). The article painted our classmate as a crusader, and completely ignored the other side.
Contrary to what the article portrays, not everyone is supportive of the alternative homecoming dance. Some students and parents are actually pleased with the new policy. However, this article fails to include opinions from both sides.
As journalists, we are responsible for providing readers with facts so they can form their own opinions. Unfortunately, this article clearly pushes readers to side with the students. Regardless of whether the administration or the students are right in this situation, readers deserve to get the whole story, not just the students’ side of it. Not only did the writers fail to interview the administration, other students or other parents, they also poorly backgrounded the topic.
For example, Mike Lowe says these rules are coming “all of the sudden,” but in reality these changes have been a long time coming. Bear Facts wrote “Changes being considered for school dances” in November 2010.
— Angelica LaVito, editor in chief; Renee Griffin, managing editor; Kevin Logan, news editor; Adam Griffith, sports editor; Madeline Jordan, features editor; Sara Pardej, entertainment editor; Kat Pauli, viewpoint editor; Josh Back and Emmy Schwerdt, news writers; Meagan Bens, Jenna Roach and Mike Schmitt, sports writers; Julia Kuhn, Genna Danial and Lexi Miranda, features writers; Nicole Syverson, entertainment writer; Lexi Fye, Sam Fraser and Emily Hack, viewpoint writers; Bear Facts, the official newspaper of Lake Zurich High School
