Columnist John Whitehead recently said, “The young people of our nation are growing up in a world in which GOD is the new four-letter word.” While teens today often aren’t bothered for the music that they are listening to during lunch and break times, there are often lawsuits filed about students praying in school or talking about religion. Public schools allow children to read novels with graphic language, but talking about God or religion is often sanctioned.

Why? Some believe that religion closes off the mind to a strict set of rules and morals that aren’t taught in school, and that school is supposed to leave the mind open and ready to learn. Some believe that being religious in school can offend atheists, agnostics, and other religious views that don’t correlate with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.

The last time I checked, however, praying before a meal in the lunch room doesn’t hurt anybody. Neither does writing a report about why Jesus is my hero. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, no matter how absurd others think they are. The only thing I could see being offensive is when people try to force something like church, conversion, or other religious views down another’s throat. However, if you get offended by something such as religion then you might as well ban everyone from talking about evolution, gay rights, and legalizing marijuana as well.

The Bill of Rights guarantees our rights to free speech. Just because someone doesn’t like what religion another person is, and because that religion ‘offends’ them, they can’t limit the other’s rights. This should involve school as well. Sure, there are times when freedom of speech is ‘abused’; When teens start, for example, dropping f-bombs at their teachers. But why is cursing at a teacher—usually resulting in ISS or OSS for a couple days at max—worse than practicing your religion at public school with things like silent prayer?

Now I’m not saying that there needs to be a class about why Christianity, Judaism, or Islam is the ‘right’ religion, but what I am saying is that there’s no reason that someone can’t pray or talk about Jesus, Muhammad, or the Dalai Lama while in school. We don’t need our young people growing up in school thinking that the freedom of speech applies to everything except for when Jesus, God, or Moses is mentioned.

No matter what you think about religion, it’s always going to be a competition between morals and ideals. What was once a country in which the Pledge of Allegiance contained ‘in God we trust’ and meant and accepted it, America has moved on to become a country that is ‘too good’ to believe and respect something like religion. Are we putting limits on the Bill of Rights amendments that were created to ensure freedom and peace in America?

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January 10 not only marked another win for the Torrington Lady Blazer basketball team, but also a milestone in Head Coach Jeff Halley’s coaching career: his 200th win. 

After defeating the Rawlins Lady Outlaws 67-57, the players could be seen sporting shirts saying, “Halley is our Homeboy” on the front and “200 and counting” on the back.

“To celebrate we all had cake with the team… oh, and t-shirts! The team also chipped in to buy me a new fishing rod!” Halley smiled.

Coach Halley took time to look back on the previous fourteen years of coaching [8 years at Newcastle and 6 years at Torrington].

“The biggest challenges in coaching have been getting players to play to their level, and a high level every day, and every week,” Halley commented.

“If I could pick a ‘Dream Team’ made up of former players, I would choose Stacy Stanton, Joni Lunney, Melissa Christensen, Kristin Engle, [former Dogies] and then Mandy Mullock, Nichole Swanson, Taylor Moore, Lexie Madden, Diana Long, Emily Madden, and Courtney Swanson [former  Blazers].”

Senior player Hayley A. had nothing but positive things to say about Coach Halley.

“Coach Halley never forgets to add something positive to the end of a bad thing,” Hayley commented. “My favorite memory with him would be misunderstanding his question, ‘Does this much matter?’ my sophomore year during one of his speeches.”
“My favorite win was being a part of his 200th career win, and hopefully being a part of his 100th Blazer win,” Hayley added.

Fellow seniors Mikayla B. and Jenny R. were nothing but excited about Halley’s accomplishment.

“I like that he’s calm and patient with us,” Mikayla commented.

Jenny agreed. “Halley connects with us. He’s not only our coach, but he seems like a friend.”

Jenny’s favorite memories with Halley are anytime he yells at the team in front of someone new.

“He’s so loud, and you can just see the fear in the people’s eyes,” Jenny laughed. “It’s so funny because we all know he’s really not that mean.”

“I have so many memories with Halley,” Mikayla said. “One that tops the list is him coming to the back of the bus and retrieving his stolen cookies.”

The two seniors agreed that anytime they beat rivals, the Douglas Bearcats or the Wheatland Bulldogs, it becomes one of their favorite wins.

“Anytime we beat Wheatland,” Jenny commented.

“My favorite win was my sophomore year at State against Douglas. They had beat us during season, so we went out during warm-ups mocking Spanky [Kassidy S. of Douglas] with sweatbands, so we had to win! We did,” Mikayla said.

With one huge milestone reached, what’s next for the Lady Blazer basketball team and head coach Jeff Halley?

“My next goal is to win a state championship, same as it always is, and to get my 100th Blazer win which is hopefully comin’ up here in a couple weeks,” Halley added.

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Wrestling honors don’t just occur with pins and points on the mat. Different schools have established individual awards to honor former team members.

This is how Isidro C. was awarded the Isaac Salas, Spirit of a Champion on December 17th.

This award is given to wrestlers who demonstrate courage, determination and sportsmanship.

It was created in memory of Isaac Salas, a Cheyenne South wrestler who passed away this year from an injury. Torrington Head Wrestling Coach, Doyle Meyer said, “Isidro exemplifies these qualities in all aspects of his life; on the mat, in the classroom and in his relationships with others.”

Not only did he earn this award,  He placed first at the South High Bison Bonanza.  Isidro’s record is 9-4.

Captain of Torrington High School wrestling team, Ryan L. said, “Isidro has worked hard and made it through many challenges. He definitely shows the spirit of a champion. He exemplifies good qualities as a role model and a team player on and off the floor.

Isidro said, “ It felt good because I made the team look good. I did not expect to get the award, I had expected Ryan to get it.”

Isidro credits Coach Meyer with helping him earn this award.

Coach Meyer said, “I chose Isidro for the award based on criteria and best fit. He has a very solid work ethic, competitive and is very admirable against his peers. This will help him in the future and it is a positive affirmation for this young man.”

Along with receiving this honor, Isidro’s goal for the season is to place at state.

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