East’s Allegiance: For the first time since 2015, students can recite the Pledge of Allegiance during seminar starting next semester

Administration plans to restart Pledge of Allegiance recitation at East by the beginning of next semester prompted by a meeting between principal Jason Peres and other Shawnee Mission principals.

Students haven’t said the Pledge since 2015 in bi-weekly seminar periods — despite Kansas Statute 72-9928 established in 2014 requiring public schools to provide “a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” 

Revised from a previous statute, Kansas law has required a daily recitation program since 1923 — though according to a 1943 Supreme Court decision, students can’t be forced to join in. Teacher Monique Goodeyon reports never practicing the Pledge daily in her 17 years at East. 

“I don’t know why we haven’t been saying it, but it was just brought to my attention this year,” Peres said. “Our [school] policy is that we want to adhere to the state statute that requires school districts to do the Pledge of Allegiance.”

While East hasn’t been participating, all other SMSD high schools except Horizons actively uphold the tradition every day according to students from South, North, Northwest and West. To prepare for the change, administration has been ordering and installing flags in classrooms since November, according to Peres. Though he stresses that students won’t be forced to participate, the Pledge will be said during announcements on seminar and advisory days.

“It’s important that there is an actual flag when the Pledge of Allegiance is said, so we took [it] upon ourselves to make sure that every classroom space has a flag,” Peres said.

Students at North have been reciting the Pledge every day for more than 18 years, according to NROTC drill commander and North senior Jalen Juan. For her, it’s a way to honor veterans and celebrate being American.

“I lead the pledge three or four times a week over the announcements,” Juan said. “I’m shocked that [East students] haven’t been saying the Pledge for multiple years, and it’s really unfortunate that students couldn’t recite that.” 

She estimates that 30% of students participate in the Pledge regularly, mostly while sitting down. But she’s proud to stand with the 10% of students that do get out of their seats.

“I’m first generation here in the United States with Filipino parents, and I do the Pledge because I’m grateful for the opportunities for my family in this country,” Juan said. “That opportunity to say the Pledge should’ve been given to those at East these past years.” 

When East alum and math teacher Emily Colebank graduated in 2013, the Pledge was still not being recited. Still, she’s not worried about rude talkers or teasing towards the flag while overseeing the Pledge in her seminar class. 

“Some kids are going to do it, and some kids aren’t,” Colebank said. “I’ll do it because we’ve been told to be a good model for students, but we can’t force anybody to.”

There are no consequences for refusing to say the Pledge, but disrespect or mocking during the Pledge won’t be tolerated, according to Peres. Juan notes that the only impoliteness at North during the recitation is talking in crowded classes like band and choir, but students don’t seem to mind the routine overall.

Junior and Student Body President Jack Kessler is eager to say the Pledge of Allegiance for patriotic reasons, along with 27% of an Instagram poll of 181 students.

“I have a lot of veterans in my family,” Kessler said. “I think it’s important to say the pledge before we start the day to honor them, especially in public school.”

But junior Gabby Ribeiro is less excited to hear the Pledge and doesn’t plan on participating. As an International Baccalaureate Diploma student, she has Theory of Knowledge instead of seminar and advisory — a time where IB kids can discuss their opinions on nationwide topics including freedom of religion.  

“We share a lot of very strong opinions about the country as a whole, and I honestly don’t think any of us [IB diploma students] would stand up,” Ribeiro said. “A lot of us aren’t religious or don’t believe in the same God. I believe the church and state should remain separate. The Pledge doesn’t reflect that when it says, ‘One nation under God.’”

Kansas House of Representatives member Rui Xu notes that the statute could be revised if people bring it to their legislators’ attention, but the government doesn’t specifically enforce statutes like 72-9928 — it is up to school districts to enforce the policy and families to bring up issues.

“If a school district or school decided to go against that statute, it is possible that somebody could find out about it and get mad enough to sue the school,” Xu said.