Band students developed gum tree outside band hall
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Silly string and wads of gum decorate this oak tree in front of the band hall at the Stroman campus.
WHAT'S THE GUM POLICY?
The Victoria school district, as a whole, does not have a chewing gum policy, said Diane Boyett, district communications specialist. Whether a teacher allows it in the classroom is up to the teacher. That is in ...
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WHAT'S THE GUM POLICY?
The Victoria school district, as a whole, does not have a chewing gum policy, said Diane Boyett, district communications specialist. Whether a teacher allows it in the classroom is up to the teacher. That is in the rules students are given at the beginning of the year, Boyett said.
Memorial High School band kids have a tradition that sticks.
On a tree, for that matter.
Since band students cannot chew gum during practice at the Stroman Campus, they stick it on the tree in front of the band hall.
During the years, the oak tree has been adorned with silly string and wads of gum of all different shapes, sizes and colors.
"People even spell their names on it with gum on the tree," said Mark Hernandez, 14.
Skylar Garza, a junior, said he's pasted at least four or five packs of gum on the tree since his freshman year.
"I started putting gum on the tree because I would come into band chewing gum and I would always get in trouble," the trombone player said. "It's pretty awesome, but pretty disgusting at the same time."
David Edge, who has been Memorial High School band director since 2000, has noticed students putting gum on the tree since he first began working there.
"We have two trash cans, but of course, it's more fun for them to put it on the tree," Edge joked.
MHS Stroman Principal Richard LeFavers said he is fine with the gum tree as long as it doesn't become a health or academic concern.
"For right now, we're not worrying about it," LeFavers said. "It's not impeding student achievement. It's not affecting student learning."
Some students say the tree has become so full of gum that they look for other places to stick it to.
"I started putting gum on the pole because the tree got a little too full for my taste," said Stephanie Pfeil, a clarinet player, of a pole near the tree. "Part of the pole is covered up in gum."
Domingo Villarreal, one of the band's drum majors, appreciates the rainbow shades of the sticky adhesive.
"Colored gum makes pretty trees," Domingo said.
Seniors like Crystal Ellis said she will miss the ritual after graduation.
"It's our special tree," Crystal said.
Comments
Nasty!!
November 3, 2009 at 9:38 a.m.there you go...created by the kids! The COV needs to bring officials in for a study to determine the kinds of gum, time deposited, area for development and of course take pictures for the pamphlets so that you can ADD A DESIGNATION for TOURISTS.
GO BAND GO....THE orginial pride of the southwest!
November 3, 2009 at 6:49 a.m.Is this really a story?...I mean SERIOUSLY, is this going to be printed tomorrow?!? And you wonder why ya'll can't get any subscribers...
November 2, 2009 at 11:50 p.m.That's disgusting!
November 2, 2009 at 9:18 p.m.If there is no gum policy why are the kids sitting in ISS for it????
poll = pole.
November 2, 2009 at 6:08 p.m.