“I believe…I believe…I believe that we will win,” is a 6th Man chant that can be heard loud and clear at all boys basketball games.

Made up of entirely seniors, 6th Man is a rowdy cheering section that attends basketball games. Members of the 6th Man wear specialized shirts, sold by senior class officers, with students’ chosen nicknames adorning the back.

The senior class’ housemaster screens each name for profanities and hidden meanings deemed inappropriate.

We believe that this screening process is completely necessary, considering that the members of 6th Man represent this school.

Rude and inappropriate names reflect poorly on 6th Man and, more importantly, on the school. In choosing the name on their 6th Man shirts, seniors must consider that even though their shirt may be comical to them, students from other schools are on the exterior of the joke. Therefore, the joke can be taken the wrong way, and others might be offended and might view the school in the wrong light.

For the seniors who complain that the school is constraining their personal choices by censoring the shirts, we would like them to remember that 6th Man shirts are a privilege that can be revoked at any time. In addition, the shirts are purchased through this school, so this school has a right to censor them.

More importantly, as the oldest students in the school, seniors have the power to influence underclassmen, and it is better to set a good example than a bad one.

Seniors should be understanding of this school’s right to censor any crude nicknames. If you are asked to change your name, do so quietly and without complaint, keeping in mind that the school is allowing seniors a huge privilege.

Be grateful, not resentful.