This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Last year, the Utah Legislature required all high schools in addition to elementary schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day. As a student at Bingham High, I have never talked to a fellow student who enjoys saying the pledge every single day.
Most students don't even pay attention to what they are saying or don't even say it at all. If a student doesn't want to stand and say the pledge, they need a note from their parents! Yeah, that makes sense.
Doesn't the pledge say "with liberty and justice for all"? Students should not be forced to say the pledge.
I enjoyed it when we said the pledge with the whole school once a week. That was meaningful and unifying.
Before they force students to say something they should have a choice about, lawmakers should look at the Bill of Rights.
Alex Burnett
South Jordan