I’m half Native American on my mom’s side, and I feel as if it’s a big cover-up or lie. A flag cannot erase the genocides, rapes and kidnappings of my people. How can we be what the flag stands for if we refuse to acknowledge that this country was inhabited and built by other people? I’m also Mexican and, when so many politicians want to keep people like my relatives and me out, doesn’t that destroy the purpose of standing united in a nice, democratic society? — senior Samael Caraveo

I come from a military family. They put their lives on the line for the people in this country. The fact that people can’t stand up for less than a minute to honor all the people who have served is completely ridiculous. — freshman Valentina Maslovaric

It’s not that I disrespect the military, my great uncle died in Vietnam. I do stuff to honor him but I don’t stand because I feel like it’s not living up to what it says it’ll do. Most people aren’t seen as equal in the United States unless you have the means and you’re worth to society. — junior Lily Reiff

I want to be respectful of the people that sacrifices for the country. People have died for us and our rights, so the least I could do is stand for 30 seconds out of respect. I don’t shame people for not standing, as long as they’re respectful during the pledge, because it’s a personal choice. — freshman Sofia Ellison

I find it uncomfortable to engage in a tradition that not only is based on the messaging of a denomination I am not a part of, but also is a message of pointless patriotism to a country and government built on genocide, conspiracies and pointless wars to fund the ultra-rich. I would like to be my own person and not pledge allegiance to a set of beliefs I do not believe in. – sophomore Braylon Lindberg

“I stand for the flag because it’s respectful to acknowledge all the people who have fought for our freedom, but it’s a personal choice. There are a lot of systematic issues in our country to address, but we can work toward reconstruction.” — sophomore Brynn Emery

I do not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because it doesn’t represent how I feel about America. I don’t pledge allegiance to the republic. It doesn’t have my undying devotion and love. The inclusion of the word God excludes me even being able to consider it because I don’t pray to that God. — junior Tristen Newell

Usually I stand for the flag because I’m an Eagle Scout and, to me, it’s a sign of respect for the service of men and women who have died for our country. Personally, I don’t care if people stand for the flag or not. At the end of the day, it’s not up to me or anyone else to decide that it’s wrong. Both are valid opinions because they are, in their own ways, true. — senior Nick Ruschill

I stand for the pledge of allegiance, because ‘allegiance’ means loyalty. We should . We pay back 30 seconds of our time to people who risked their lives or lost family members to earn our freedom. — sophomore Maddie Vanlandingham

I stand because I’ve stood my whole life. It’s kind of a habit. When most people around you stand, it’s almost like peer pressure. But it’s also to honor those who served. My great grandfather served in Vietnam. That influences me to stand. ­— junior Joey Bartkoski

The only time I really playing for the band. I don’t stand for a lot of stuff happening in the country currently. Not standing up is one of the most patriotic things you can do because you are exercising your right to free speech. — senior Lilly Harris

I stand because I’ve stood my whole life. It’s kind of a habit. When most people around you stand, it’s almost like peer pressure. But it’s also to honor those who served. My great grandfather served in Vietnam. That influences me to stand. ­— junior Joey Bartkoski

The flag doesn’t represent what this country is. I don’t believe the pledge is good. If people want to stand, that’s their personal belief. They should know what the pledge and this country are about before they choose to stand for the flag. In the pledge, it says ‘Justice for all,’ but there’s barely justice for anybody. — sophomore Evan Eaves

I don’t stand for the pledge because I don’t believe I should have to if I don’t agree with everything it claims. If others believe ‘one nation under God,’ they can stand if they want. But it’s kind of biased. You can tell who person is, based on if they stand or not. — junior Piper Stackhouse