Page 20 - 1986

L e tte r'

r e q u i r e m e n t s

in ^ o l^ e d

By Holly Jostes earn a letter in another.
Are they in? However Blazek chose to award
Are they out? football letters in a different way. “I don’t
Do I want one? have a certain amount of playing time,”
Can I earn one? he said. “Players that letter in football are
“What is a letter anyway?” determined by effort, attitude and im­
As the fall season starts to close, this provement on the practice field.”
question seems to be formost in par­ Exceptions are few, but they do exist.
ticipating students’ minds. “At the discretion of the coach, a boy
Most instructors and coaches regard a may letter if injured if his contribution to
letter as a reward for outstanding the team warrants a letter,” Cross
achievement and participation. “It shows Country and Boys’ Track Coach Gary
participation in an activity in a visible Dubbs said.
way,” Kim Evander, orchestra instructor Agreeing with Dubbs, Head Volleyball
said. Coach Dale Kinney said there could This is the way debate letters used to look. Now
debaters receive a letter which looks like the athletic
Many other reasons instructors and possibly be an exception due to injury or letter.
coaches feel the need for a letter exist. other factors which prevented a senior jackets run from $39 to $120.
John Blazek, head football coach, feels from playing the required number of A similar situation can be found down
that a letter adds to school spirit and matches. the street at 8534 L Street, Decosta
pride. After all the hard work it takes to earn Sporting Goods. According to Decosta
Charles Tichy, forensics (speech and a letter students may wonder what to do Store Manager, Bill Myers, a wool jacket
debate) instructor, said, “A letter is an with it. The dresser drawer has com­ would run $80 to $150 but nylon runs
excellent reward because of its degree monly become the storing place for only about $43 to $47.
of difficulty to obtain.” school letters, but more and more “Wearing a school jacket”, Myers said,
A student can receive a letter many students are starting to wear their letters “gives a student a chance to show off his
different ways, it all depends on what he on their Ralston jackets. This was a style school colors.”
or she goes out for. All of the coaches which had supposedly gone out of Myers also credits the nylon jacket
and instructors agree that it takes a per­ fashion. with being the “cheapest and most use-
son with dedication and a willingness to Because of its location, 4304 South able jacket around.”
work, to earn a letter. 84th Street, Nebraska Sporting Goods There are many things manufacturing
Most sports and activities have a list of does most of its jacket selling to RHS companies can do to personalize a jack­
requirements that a student must meet students. Jim Parr, a Nebraska Sporting et, but the student alone can put a letter
to receive a letter. But, they give the stu­ Goods employee, said, “A good reason on it.
dent a choice from that list. If a student for the increase in the sales of Ram Band instructor, Allan Amandus, helps
wanted to letter in band, his choices jackets is because of nylon. Nylon jack­ personalize the letter itself for his band
would range from performing at three ets are cheaper and much more ver­ students. “It’s similar to the athletic letter
community service occasions in Ralston, satile.” only it has a musical symbol in the mid­
to receiving a ’1’ rating in a contest for a At Nebraska Sporting Goods a wool dle of it.”
solo. This choice allows a student who jacket with leather sleeves would cost Dubbs concluded saying, “Working to
might be weak in one area, to excel and anywhere from $180 to $210. Nylon receive a letter should be one of the
goals set by each student. It gives them
12 L e tte r? a sense of accomplishment.”