The recent hazing incident at Viera High School has sparked all area high schools, including Holy Trinity, to take a look at the issue. Hazing has been and continues to be a troubling issue from high schools to colleges. According to Anti-Hazing at UCF website, “1.5 million high school students are hazed each year.” Holy Trinity takes many precautions to keep hazing and harassment out of athletics and other school activities. 

“People in the past will talk about hazing as being a type of ritual, but these days they are not just rituals,” Dean of Students Steve Henderson said. 

Every year HT students are required to read and sign the Holy Trinity Family Handbook. The handbook does not state hazing, but harassment of any kind is not tolerated. “Any mistreatment is not tolerated and not allowed and handled with disciplinary action,” Head of Senior High Cyndi Buist said.

Students who participate in any athletic activities at HT are also required to read and sign the Upper School Athletic Handbook. This handbook, unlike the Family Handbook, does specifically state hazing: “The practice of hazing will not be tolerated at Holy Trinity. Hazing includes any abusive or humiliating activities that have the potential to cause physical or mental harm for any purpose including initiation.” 

With no tolerance for hazing, partaking in any type of hazing or harassment at Holy Trinity including athletics can result in suspension or expulsion from both the school and sports teams. 

Coaches have been made more aware of the situation of hazing in athletics by Director of Athletics James Phillips.

“Coaches are a lot more observant of it now and looking for it,” Phillips said. “Coaches have the ability to unlock the locker rooms to make sure there is adult supervision and if not in the locker room around it, so they can hear what’s going on at all times.”

Holy Trinity athletics has a unique situation in team participation, with 7th through 12th graders on one team. 

“It’s different at Holy Trinity because we have 7th graders that are with 12th,” Henderson said. “Not letting the upperclassmen feel like they are superior is important. You know, when I was playing, the freshman had to carry the equipment, which of course is a little thing but can lead to bigger things.”

Hazing is not something that Holy Trinity has had to worry about in the past. Holy Trinity has many ways to support students if they feel uncomfortable in a situation, including the Confidential button on OnCampus, as well as reaching out to teachers and administration. 

“Being a dean and a coach is creating a culture that doesn’t allow for these types of behaviors or making people feel uncomfortable being a part of a team,” Henderson said. “I think when you have a standard or culture like Holy Trinity hazing is not something that comes up. I have been here 20 years and have not heard of hazing. Creating a culture that students know is unacceptable but also not something you turn your shoulder to. I think this culture is created within the school.”