ASB adapts to evolving rally policies

A packed gym with 1,500 riled-up students anxious to win a class shout-off can certainly spell trouble.

“A rally is scary to me because all it takes is one thing for it to go really bad really fast,” Assistant Principal Bryan Martin said.

Due to an infraction two years ago in which some students were under the influence during a rally, the administration has pursued a newfound effort to keep rallies under control.

Martin is well aware of the changed focus.

“We have to find this balance between [the students] having [their] entertainment and fun but at the same time maintaining control,” Martin said.

An extreme emphasis on this balance has been a result of students being under the influence, throwing tennis balls from the crowd, starting mosh pits or otherwise being disruptive. Consequences for these particular students can range from a mere warning to trash pickup, Saturday school, suspension and expulsion. Martin has experienced handing out all of these in his five years at Oak Park.

Coming from Los Angeles High School, Martin said that Oak Park’s disciplinary issues pale in comparison to the school located in mid-city Los Angeles. He said that, at the end of a rally at his former employer, a riot broke out because of the poor planning.

A big change in the process of rallies has been leaving the lights on for the rally’s entirety, Martin said. When the lights go off, Martin said he thinks that the darkness enhances the student’s anonymity, enabling them to perform specific actions that they would not think about if they were completely visible.

The communication between the administrators and ASB is now more constant, especially leading up to rallies. However, this does not mean Martin does not want to see creativity from ASB. He said that, at worst, an idea might receive his veto – without consequence. 

ASB Co-Director D.J. Cook was a part of ASB back in 2008, so he has experienced the history of the rallies and their planning.

“It takes a lot of planning to put these rallies together because you gotta have what you are ready to do two weeks before it even comes to fruition,” Cook said.

The biggest focal point is on the amount of light during the rally. The environment with the lights off creates an entirely new ability to share multimedia. In most cases, the students would not be able to view a multimedia presentation with the lights on.

“One of the coolest moments I’ve ever experienced was when the lights were off and everyone took their cell phone out and used their lights … it felt like I was in the middle of a concert,” Cook said. “Every rally where no incident occurs, it gives us more leeway [with the lights].”

Another big focus is making sure the rally or the videos involved are free of any alcohol, drugs or inappropriate pop-culture references. Cook stresses the importance of students being able to express themselves, but in an appropriate manner.

As far as future goals for the rally?

“I would hope that the rallies continue to be exciting, filled with school spirit,” senior and ASB President Josh Weisberg wrote to the Talon.

While the rallies are meant to “raise school spirit and give students a break from all the stress that takes place from school,” according to Weisberg, the recent infractions have put a semi-halt to that.

However, Martin notes that Oak Park students aren’t all that bad.

“For the most part — you guys are actually really good,” Martin said, laughing.