TRAVELERS REST (WSPA) – There were more displays of American flags at Travelers Rest High School on Monday morning, but no problems reported following a controversy that was spread on social media over a football game.
Several social media posts stated over the weekend that students were denied entry to the Travelers Rest vs. Berea High School football game because they were trying to bring Americans flags inside the stadium.
Several students drove to campus at Travelers Rest High School Monday with American flags on their vehicles according to school principal Lou Lavely. His statement – released by the Greenville County School District – added that no students were turned away from campus Monday because of posting those flags on vehicles.
Lavely said it’s possible some students left school with their flags Monday morning after eating breakfast because they went to attend a session at a career center. Lavely says there is no restriction on displaying the flag on automobiles or wearing patriotic clothing at Travelers Rest High School.
The school district reports there was a larger group of students than usual who gathered at the flag pole Monday morning at Berea High School. Principal Mike Noel reports in a written statement that some students wore red, white and blue and some waved flags.
Noel says two adults attempted to join the gathering at Berea High School, but were asked to leave because it was a student event and not one for the community.
American flags were not allowed into the high school football game Friday night. Lavely said in his statement on Saturday that his decision was to “not allow the American flag to be used in an improper ‘taunting,’ unsportsmanlike manner.”
Noel released a statement in support of Lavely later Saturday about the decision.
Lavely based his decision on past incidents where Travelers Rest students were misusing the flag, but has since reached a different decision after current students requested that he judge them on their own merits and not on the actions of past students.
He has decided to allow students to bring the American flag to any and all Travelers Rest High School events.
Instead of restricting possession of the flag, the TRHS administration will, if needed, address the misuse of the flag, or any other inappropriate behavior, on an individual basis.
“I fully support Mr. Lavely’s thoughtful reconsideration, and his willingness to respond to advice and input from his community,” said Superintendent Burke Royster. “I am appreciative of the Travelers Rest High School community for sharing its concerns and opinions on this matter in a respectful, civil manner. I also appreciate and applaud their desire to promote patriotism and service as a part of the culture of their school and am in agreement that students’ desire to carry and display the American flag should be encouraged and supported throughout the District.”
You can read more about the incident on Friday with complete statements from both school principals, the Greenville County School District and Travelers Rest Police Chief Lance Crowe by clicking here.
