Waking up with a start, a figure appears with a pile of crazy clothes, makeup and ideas. The clock reads 5 a.m. and as the underclassman slowly rises, she feels excitement rush through her as she realizes what is happening. Today, she is being initiated into her group, or as some refer to it, hazed.

A tradition at Homestead, hazing is seen throughout the halls numerous times throughout the year. Sports teams have fully embraced the idea of embarrassing underclassmen, and the seniors truly enjoy this sort of initiation for the younger members of the team. Cross country, swim team and dance team are just a few of the many participants in this activity.

Although the school allows this custom to take place, every year the hazing process stirs controversy among students and teachers. Mr. Joe Ciurlik, social studies and AVID teacher, feels that “The word hazing in itself has a negative connotation. To me, it is similar to bullying but of course not nearly as malicious.”
There are many people who share his same opinion, including some students. Out of 100 students at Homestead surveyed, 15 believed that hazing causes unnecessary humiliation and gives upperclassmen a feeling of power over younger kids.

One of the more serious sides to the debate incorporates the idea of peer pressure and the effect hazing has on self-esteem. In order to haze students, the upperclassmen have to make the process optional but for many kids, they feel pressured into it by desire to fit in with the cultural norms at Homestead. Additionally, the embarrassing outfits have caused kids to be ashamed of their appearance and causes their self-esteem to plummet with the lack of confidence in their attire.

Even though the negative concerns are raised every year, the majority of students at Homestead enjoy the tradition and look forward to it. Out of 100 students surveyed, 66 percent think hazing is a fun activity that they enjoy participating in and seeing in the school.

Katie Soyka, junior, talks about her hazing experience as a freshman on cross country. “When I was hazed it was fun. Two senior girls came to my house in the morning, dressed me up in a tutu and face paint just like my friend who they had hazed before me, and they took me out to breakfast before school.”

For many students, hazing helps teams bond and create lasting relationships between the upperclassmen and underclassmen. Soyka went on to say with a smile that the seniors who hazed her freshmen year she still talks to today; they have remained close even though they are no longer on the same team. By being hazed, freshmen feel as though they are becoming a part of the team and get to be recognized at school for their athletic ability.
Lily Zall, a freshman on dance team, exclaimed, “I’m so excited to get hazed Homecoming week. This has been a tradition for forever and is one of the many perks of being on a varsity team as a freshman. The outfits look crazy and I can’t wait to be dressed up.”

Hazing at Homestead has been and will continue to be a debate that emerges every year. Both students and teachers alike feel differently towards the tradition. But as long as support remains for the custom, the halls of Homestead will be spotted with crazy outfits and face paint during each sports season.