A high school in Folsom, California, has sparked a nationwide debate after students were advised to refrain from chanting “USA” during school sporting events and rallies. For years, Vista Del Lago High School students had shouted the chant with enthusiasm, proud to rally behind their teams with an expression of unity, school spirit, and national pride. But when school officials intervened, emotions flared.
The decision came during a leadership class, where staff raised concerns about how the chant might be interpreted. According to the school’s administration, the goal wasn’t to suppress patriotism but to encourage mindfulness. In some schools across the country, similar chants have reportedly made students from diverse backgrounds feel excluded or singled out. At Vista Del Lago, officials wanted to ensure that all students felt welcomed and respected, especially in a school community known for its diversity.
Daniel Thigpen, Communications Director for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, explained that the message was about balance. “You can practice empathy, kindness, and patriotism all at the same time,” he said. The intention wasn’t to ban the chant, but rather to encourage reflection on its use, particularly in situations where it could be misinterpreted or misused.
Despite the well-meaning intentions behind the decision, many students were left puzzled. “I wasn’t angry,” said senior Ryan Bernal, “but I definitely wondered, ‘Why can’t we chant USA?’” For Ryan and many others, the chant was never about division—it was a celebration of shared identity. “When we say USA, it’s a reminder that we’re all American, regardless of our skin tone or where we’re from.” His sentiment echoed across the student body, many of whom felt the school’s caution, though well-intentioned, may have gone too far. Some questioned whether efforts to protect feelings were blurring the line between safeguarding inclusion and stifling free expression. Others saw it as an opportunity to open a larger conversation on how patriotism and inclusion can coexist.
Mike Garrison from the California Interscholastic Federation weighed in, noting, “There’s a time and a place for chants like that.” His comment highlighted the importance of context, emphasizing that even something as seemingly innocent as a chant could carry different meanings depending on the setting.
The situation at Vista Del Lago has since sparked impassioned discussions well beyond the school’s gates. Parents, students, and community members continue to debate whether the decision was a necessary step toward fostering empathy or an overreaction. In an era where national identity and personal experience often clash, the school has found itself at the heart of a larger cultural conversation—one that asks: How can we express pride without alienating others? And how can we teach future generations that patriotism, like kindness, should bring us together, not tear us apart?
