Below are two opinions on Fountain Valley High School’s B4L cards. The first article supports the B4L card program, while the second one brings into question its effectiveness.
By Elise Tran, Staff Writer
Barons 4 Life (B4L) cards were created four years ago and who’s to say they’ve done no good to Fountain Valley High School.
B4L cards try to encourage academic effort, spirit wear and character throughout students of Fountain Valley and why would encouraging someone to strive for their best be horrible? In addition, if you earn a certain amount of B4L stickers you are entered in a raffle to win prizes. It’s a win-win situation.
As students, we don’t always get recognized for doing something beneficial like helping someone out and although we aren’t supposed to expect reward, it’s nice to get a pat on the back every once in awhile. If a student does get a sticker for showing academic effort or character, it gives off the impression that they should do what good deed they did again.
There is no sacrifice for having B4L cards. Even if you do not get the full amount of stickers in order to be entered into the raffle, it doesn’t hurt you.
Some may argue that not all teachers hand out B4L stickers and it would be unfair for students. B4L cards can be handed out from any teacher if a student asks. Supervision also supplies B4L cards and will give it out to those who do not have one.
People also complain that not all students are aware of the raffle for the prizes. Announcements are made all over school about the raffles and if the student doesn’t pay attention to that it’s on the student, not the system.
Some students may not care about B4L cards and end up throwing them away and that would be the student’s’ choice. There are students that do use B4L cards and genuinely appreciate the system. It wouldn’t be fair to those who want to use them for it to be taken away based on the opinions of those who don’t like them.
The B4L system does have flaws, but those flaws can be solved in a matter of time rather than the system being abolished.
By John Le, Staff Writer and Photographer
Created four years ago, the Barons 4 Life (B4L) cards are a way for students to be more active in the Baron community. Through spirit, character and good deeds, students are recognized by stickers and gift cards.
However, do these cards really help shape students to be part of the “Baron spirit”?
It is recommended for teachers to give out these cards to students for them to participate in the program, but a lot of students don’t end up receiving them. However, Supervision can give out these cards to students who don’t have one, or students can simply ask any of their teachers for one.
Even if a student ends up with a card, it seems useless as many teachers don’t give out stickers. Most of the cards end up in the trash because of its uselessness.
When a student completes their B4L card with sticker, they are able to enter into a raffle. If they are chosen, they are awarded a $25 gift card of their choice. Do those raffles really just motivate students to nag their teachers for more stickers? It’s obviously promoting free money.
These cards also give no motivation whatsoever for students to actively engage in school spirit. There are events such as dress-up days and various school activities, but these cards solely do not give students a message to participate.
The B4L cards were a great idea from the start, but its flaws slowly started to show over the four years. These cards are not a way to show school spirit.
