The one on the vuvuzelas at Sachem East

Well, the vuvuzelas at Sachem East might've received their last breaths. Last week, school officials announced that there would be a ban of the horns at their home games, putting an end to what had become a funny fad at Flaming Arrows sporting events.

A group of seniors had gotten the idea this summer – borrowing from the World Cup in South Africa – to sound the horns during games. I was at one of those games (Ward Melville vs. Sachem East in field hockey) and, by all accounts, the spectators found it entertaining. Fans sitting near the boys said it was “hilarious” and even the Ward Melville girls got a laugh out of it.

Regardless, last Friday the school said they would no longer allow it, citing the Code of Behavior in the Section XI rule book. Rule 3 among the spectator guidelines states that fans should: “Refrain from foot stomping, disrespectful remarks, and the use of noisemakers.”

Vuvuzelas count as noisemakers, so, by the rule, Sachem East is correct. Still, several of the students disagree.

“People aren't annoyed by it and that's our argument,” one said. “Most people liked it... We're having homecoming this Saturday, and we'd have loved to use them for that.”

The kids created a Facebook page called “Save the Vuvuzela Spirit!” which will serve as an online petition. The page quickly got over 100 followers.