At Essex High School, the energy and spirit at sporting events are a cherished part of the student experience. But this fall, that excitement has collided with safety concerns. Stricter enforcement of a long-standing rule prohibiting students from standing or leaning on the front railings of the bleachers has sparked frustration and opened up conversations about safety, accessibility, and school spirit.
EHS Student Activities Director, Jefferson Goodrich, explained that the renewed enforcement isn’t about limiting student spirit. It’s about protecting people.
“That rail has been there for 50-something years,” Goodrich said. “Although it’s metal and the stands are concrete, one of those rails has failed before. So it’s about safety, and it’s about making sure people feel safe and comfortable.”
Campus Support Staff, Manny Robertson, has been tasked with keeping students back from the railing and ensuring that walkways remain clear. Robertson shared a similar concern, noting that even durable materials have limits.
“The more weight that is put on it, it’s only a matter of time before it fails,” Robertson said. “When I see people leaning on it, I am worried for their safety and making sure that everybody’s safe.”
Goodrich emphasized that the railing isn’t necessarily fragile.
“Everything has its maximum capacity,” he said. “When people are standing on it or pushing on it or shaking it, there’s always a chance something could go wrong.”
While safety is the priority, the new decision hasn’t been well-received by many students, especially the seniors. For them, standing at the front of the bleachers has been a long-awaited tradition.
Senior Zoe Papaseraphim shared how important school spirit is to the overall experience of the games.
“As an athlete myself, the energy that the crowd brings can make all the difference,” she said. “I think that being up against the rail is an experience I’ve waited to have since I was a freshman, all the way in the back. Now I feel like it’s being stripped away from me. It’s just unfair and not fun.”
Senior Evander Mosley shared similar feelings, calling the rule “a little inconsiderate,” not just to current seniors but to future students as well. Despite the tension, students and administrators seem to agree on one thing. That school spirit matters deeply.
“I’m a big believer that that’s what matters here at Essex High School,” Mosley said. “It’s a big thing for our community that we all get to come together at the games and really just go out and support.”
Goodrich appreciates an energetic student body which always helps enhance people’s competitive advantage.
While the school plans to continue enforcing the rule, Goodrich shared that he is open to exploring creative solutions while ensuring the safety of everyone attending the games.
He mentioned that they had been considering several possibilities, one of them being to relocate the student section, bringing out the smaller bleachers and putting them down on the track to bring the student section closer to the game.
“We want to work together to make sure that this stadium is accessible to all people,” Goodrich said. “That’s what the rail is about.”
The situation has started a larger discussion about how the school can maintain high student energy while keeping everyone safe and comfortable. As the season continues, both students and administrators seem open to working together.
“We’re open to ideas,” Goodrich said. “We just want to keep you safe and make sure that everyone feels comfortable accessing the space.”
