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OpinionApril 19, 2003

In small towns, high school sports are important. So the administrators in the Scott City School District faced a difficult decision when they learned that 25 athletes were at a post-prom party this month where alcohol flowed freely. Those athletes had signed an agreement that they would not drink. ...

In small towns, high school sports are important. So the administrators in the Scott City School District faced a difficult decision when they learned that 25 athletes were at a post-prom party this month where alcohol flowed freely.

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Those athletes had signed an agreement that they would not drink. When confronted, the 25 admitted they hadn't lived up to that agreement. They were suspended from sports. The softball coach present when the alcohol was served was suspended from coaching. Some say this isn't fair. They say teens may as well have a safe environment where this rite of passage can take place.

Those who would make that argument are saying it's OK both to break the law and to back out of a signed promise. That's a strong lesson that will follow these students through life. That is a lesson district leaders refused to impart. They should be thanked for their stand.

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