There may not be any more home football games, but Posse leaders and some students are still upset at what occurred after halftime of the Homecoming game–the Bluetooth speaker was taken by members of the administration.

Senior Colin Walters was one of the students in charge of the speaker and the music. He said the music they played really helped the energy in the crowd.  

“The speaker definitely brought energy to the Posse, and also momentum for the football players. It got everyone excited, even if we were losing,” said Walters.

Many students seemed to agree with Walters. Even the cheerleaders said they didn’t mind the loud music during their cheers.

“We had fun when the Posse was playing music. We cheered to the music they played, and it also helped us know when to start our chants,” said junior cheerleader Lola Sanders. 

Assistant Principal Eric Wilhelm explained what happened this season involving the speaker.

“[The Posse] played a song that led to an inappropriate chant during the game against Oakville, and had to be warned. So the Posse leaders went to Dr. Pappas and pleaded their case that they should be able to have the speaker,” said Wilhelm.

Wilhelm said the Posse was given a second chance to use their speaker during the Homecoming game against Parkway West, with the condition that they would only play music with appropriate lyrics..

“As we are getting pounded by Parkway West, we play a song with profanity, and Dr. Pappas decided we hadn’t learned our lesson and we weren’t getting the speaker anymore,” said Wilhelm. 

Unfortunately for the student section, the Homecoming game would be the last time they saw the speaker for the rest of the 2025 football season. Many students were upset by this news, but the Posse leaders were especially exasperated.

“I was angered and enraged. As a Posse leader, I feel that it makes it harder to fulfill my role of keeping students entertained at games. Now, there are less students in attendance, less Posse energy, students leave the game early, and students are disengaged from the game,” said senior Corwin Plank. 

Even though emotions were high, the reason behind playing appropriate music was mostly understood.

“We had our chances, so I understand, but it’s obviously still sad,” Walters said.

While some students seemed upset when the speaker was taken, some members of the marching band seemed relieved.

 “Sometimes, usually, right when we were about to play, the speaker would cut us off. One time the Posse played the same song that we were about to play, so that was kind of annoying,” said senior Megan Hutchins, marching band drum major. 

Even though the marching band was happy to not have their hard work be played over by the speaker, they still felt empathy for the Posse because they saw how much joy it brought to the fans.

“I honestly didn’t really mind the speaker being played. Yes, we’re there to be entertainment, but I think the speaker was just as much entertainment for the Posse as well. I liked that the students got to choose some music that they enjoyed to listen to during the games,” added Hutchins. 

Many students wondered if there were chances of the speaker coming back for the remaining home football games. However, the principals decided that the students had already been given too many chances.

“Unfortunately for the Posse, they have misbehaved one too many times so I don’t believe they will be allowed to have it back this year, but we do plan on giving students another chance next year,” said Wilhelm. 

After receiving the news that there was no chance of getting the speaker back, the Posse took to Instagram and started the “#freespeaker” movement in which they posted online in hopes of getting the speaker back, or at least get the attention of students and administrators.

With their post, they definitely gained the attention, but not the outcome they wanted.

“I thought their post was somewhat funny. It was well-played, which is why I responded with a post of my own,” said Wilhelm. 

Wilhelm posted a series of photos with the speaker appearing to be sitting in jail. Then he posted an ironic photo with a shirt saying, “Where’s Mr. Brightside?” a dig at one of the songs that got the speaker confiscated in the first place. 

As a way to make light of a bad situation, while also trying to teach students a valuable lesson about chances, Wilhelm ended each of his posts with a message he wanted to be kept with South students.

“#lockedup, #triedtotellyou, #loveyouguys,” said Wilhelm.