Masuk Free Press

As Friday night lights shine on our Masuk football field, the student section chants and cheers. But beneath the surface of school spirit and camaraderie lies an issue that affects our game day enthusiasm: a gender bias that undermines the female section leaders.

With the student section getting out of hand in past years, student leaders are crucial for the success of the night. They are responsible for leading cheers and making sure the student body is respectful of all players both on and off the field, as well as those contributing to the game, such as the national anthem performer. Yet, despite the efforts of capable female leaders, students have chosen to only listen to the male figures.

Although the female section leaders demonstrate clear excitement and enthusiasm, a trend of gender bias continues to rise among Masuk. All week, these leaders collectively put hours of effort into creating a fun and safe game night for the entirety of our student body, organizing chants, and setting up decorations. They work hard to make sure everyone has a good time and feels respected within their section. However, only male leaders receive the credit and respect for it. 

Unsurprisingly, this is not a recent discovery. Last year’s female Red Army leaders faced the same adversity. A former Red Army leader commented,

 “One of the scariest things about being a Red Army leader is shouting into the crowd and not knowing if the crowd will shout back. It is noticeable that the male leaders tend not to have as much of an issue. Whether it is their lower voices, their hype group of friends at the front, or the fact that they just don’t care about being embarrassed. But, as a female leader, you can’t help but feel the difference and as a result, I always made sure the guys were in on the chants before I did them to make sure they were successful.”

This highlights a broader issue of gender dynamics affecting leaders’ experiences. These leaders are willingly dedicating their time to create a fun Friday night for all Masuk students, and when disrespect and bias becomes a factor it affects the game day spirit. 

During last Friday’s home opener against Wilton, the student section repeated its past antics. A section leader is held accountable for making sure the students are quiet when the team is on offense, and loud on defense. Despite attempting to quiet the crowd through a whiteboard and shouting, there was no response. Yet, when the fellow male student leader used his voice to quiet down the section, everyone obliged and the football team was able to hear their calls. 

Although female leaders find this issue prevalent, male leader, Stephen Sentimentes, doesn’t agree with it. “I feel like they listen to the girls a little more because they’re more afraid of them than me. I feel like me and Ollie are just mostly there for the energy and the girls are mainly the coordinators of it. People listen to me and Ollie because they respect us but they listen to the girls because they fear them.” 

However, is it really true that fellow peers could be fearful of one another? The opinions of the male authority figures are a part of the grueling problem. If the males running our student section refuse to acknowledge the clear bias, does that contribute to the problem? It is essential for all members on the floor, regardless of gender, to feel respected and foster an inclusive environment. 

On the other hand, female leader Ava Moretti, “With two headstrong girls as the Red Army leaders, people like to challenge us with what they can and cannot get away with. All we are trying to do is create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere where everyone can appreciate the games and create high school memories. When people who have not contributed anything to the Red Army try to take over during a game or offer their opinion it can create chaos, and there are almost too many cooks in the kitchen. That is when the communication gets lost.” 

Another responsibility of the Red Army leaders is maintaining a clear pavement area in order to allow Officer Brooke Larson or Athletic Director Brian Horigan to walk by if needed. Although keeping the pavement clear was a struggle for all, the male leaders were able to make their voices heard more efficiently. 

All in all, while the bright game day lights symbolize our shining school spirit, they also cast a shadow on the gender inequality that festers among our student leaders. Despite their efforts, the female voices often go unheard in favor of the male contributors, undermining the inclusivity that the Masuk preaches. In the future, there should be an aim to recognize and address the biases that are being faced and work towards a more unified system.