" You think you are smart, but really you sound like the kid you are. Who pays for the football gear? The bus trips, everything. The fans, and supporters of the school. With out them there is no football team. It happened to football players and that is why the football team is involed in all this. Blame them not the fans or anyone else. And remember you are a kid. "

" Some of you are close, but you see, it doesnt really matter what happened, because it doesnt affect anyone outside of the sports programs what so ever. Its like us football players tellin you people how to do your jobs. You dont listen to us because you know that you know better. We know that we can play ball and those people drinking messed up, but when it comes down to it, how much good are you people gonna do by coming up to those caught and chewing them out? None. We play football for ourselves and our school, so dont chew us out for getting in trouble. You can be disappointed, but don't talk to those people about the football team. It has NOTHING to do with you! I'm tired of one of those guys coming up to me and telling me how some cranky old lady came up to him and chewed him out about it. Knock it off! You got a problem with it, don't come to the games, quit your support, whatever. We will still play. Ha ha we don't need you. You can be mad about them drinking, but don't link it to the football team in any way. "

" Who said anything about the Bible? I'm not making a moral judgement on anyone. The kids here made a serious mistake. They are paying for it. I just don't understand why as a society we glamorize such a dangerous behavior. If you want to drink, drink. But please don't promote it to kids. Please stay out of your car. And please stay away from me because you are going to smell bad and behave worse. These kids lost 3 week of doing something that they love. They'll never get that back. Their childhood has been altered. The lure of a mind altering chemical that had been represented to them by adults as being "fun" has caused them to forfeit that time. To a person, I guarantee, not one of them would say that it was worth it. I applaud the OSD for holding these kids accountable. Those of you who think it is wrong that they get sanctioned, you are the ones with issues. "

" I'm not sure how far down the page you and your followers have been typing, but this was all about a couple of kids that made the mistake of drinking before it was legal. Put the bible down, and go get back under your rock. "

" This blog is about a kids drinking party. One guy wont get off drinking and driving, one is a diet coke fan, by the way is also bad for you, but hey who is judging. I dont know how you people have such a problem with drinking if done in a responsible way. People can make their own choices. It is not the drinks fault it is the drinker. Move on with your lives, and to to no name and common sense. Have a cold beer, and lay down the dictionarys it going to be OK. "

" I'm ashamed for many of you who allow your personal "world-view" to compel you to spew baseless garbage.

Do people die from drinking and driving? Yes.

Does alcoholism cause pain, hardship? Yes.

Should alcohol be made illegal for all because some can not handle responsibility that comes with it's consumption? No.

You see, it is those of you who wish to impose your personal morality on everyone around you-- you moral dictators, if you will-- who are the root of many social ills faced by society today. Rather than allowing those responsible for educating our children and future generations to openly discuss the real challenges faced by our children as they develop (such as sex, drinking, etc), it is you moral dictators who wish to exclude these topics from public forums and who then frequently avoid having open discussions about these issues with your children that should consider the impact you have on our society. Sure, maybe your children and you discuss drinking and sex at home. That doesn't mean others should not be able to discuss these issues, or learn about these issues in a public institution.

Drinking happens and will happen. I would bet MOST of you drank before you were of age. For some of you, the drinking age was 18 when you were in these kids' shoes. And yet, you feel comfortable berating kids and parents facing the same challenges today. And for those of you who chose not to drink, well, you made a healthy and wise choice. That does not mean that you should feel it is okay for you to impose your choice on everyone.

Humans learn from mistakes. Attempting to eliminate mistakes from the growing process by making certain behaviors illegal is not going to help anyone, but rather is only going to further the decline of our society by putting more people behind bars or in the courtroom (causing a need for more attorneys and jails), and is going to further damage the family structure.

Encouraging sound responsible handling of the mistakes that are made would be a much wiser method of approaching situations such as this. "

" The issue I have with tbis whole ordeal is that the police had nothing to do with this. A student at the highschool perhaps someone that lived down the road that wasn't invited, or someone that was told to leave informed the principals. So they suspended people entirely on here-say. So the message to all the highschoolers reading this is that if you want to move up in the rotaton on your team then just tell someone that the starter was getting drunk last weekend and shazzam. And people need to shut up about how much better fruitland is than ontaro, its all the same people. Fruitland just hides it better, they have just as many drinking partys as the next town. "

" You're right. If it doesn't AFFECT me I don't care. (by the way, I know the difference between effect and affect, look it up) I have lots of fun. If you are only drinking one beer while watching the game couldn't the same thing be accomplished by drinking a Diet Coke? I don't get it. A substance which has caused so much heartache and destruction, and can be so addictive as to take over a person's life is not something to take lightly. Maybe you are not susceptible to becoming addicted. Good for you. Can you say the same thing for everyone you have ever enjoyed an adult beverage with? There is no way to tell. So we are just rolling the dice every time a person starts drinking on whether that person will become a responsible drinker, or a dangerous drunk. You and I all pay dearly for those drunks. So, if as you say you are not drinking because of the mind altering EFFECTS of the alcohol,(more of the grammar lesson) then I am having just as much fun watching the game as you while I drink my Diet Coke. And, I know that I'll never run the risk of having one too many before I drive home. Sometimes, I have had one too many but all that really means is that I need a potty stop on the way. I'm not trying to stop anyone from enjoying themselves, but you have to admit alcohol is not an entertainment without serious risk. If you want thrills and dangerous activities that don't AFFECT others, go sky-diving. "

" By the way, I never said I slammed into a telephone poll or two. I just said I drove drunk once upon a time and almost went off the road a couple of times. "

" The only idiots here are those who will continue to drink and drive, and its not only me who has had those close calls or worse. There are many out there who drink and drive and have driven drunk with their own children in the car and have crashed and killed. Because there ARE so many who want to do that, and ruin alot of peoples lives because of their selfish attitude and selfish desire, yes, me and alot of other people want it banned.

Quit calling me an idiot. Its only those who don't want to stop are the idiots. Because they have no respect for themselves nor others. I am not again, an idiot, nor a moron, nor stupid, anymore. If I were to have kept on drinking and driving drunk then yes, I am all those.

If you continue to drink and then some day run into me and my family and cause some serious injuries or worse, I will ask the judge to definitely throw the books at you so hard, that you won't see whats coming. I value life, but I guess you all that love to drink and then drive, don't. Go ahead, be stupid keep on drinking, but you will face serious consequences if you do.

Oh and by the way, yes they should ban smoking because not only does it ruins the smokers health totally it ruins those who don't smoke and are around those who do. Its called Second Hand Smoking. I can't stand that crappy smell and there are a lot of others who do agree with me. Hundreds if not thousands. It cause cancer in the lungs, gum disease, emphisema, and heart problems if not more. Alcohol, smoking, drug taking, should be banned; therefore, many lives saved. Airplanes on the other hand, you can't know whether its going to fail or not and fall out of the sky, so its a risk to fly sometimes. But the others are preventative, therefore do us all who value good health and our lives a favor and quit smoking, quit driking, quit drug taking, because those are the worst killers in America, besides those homicidal maniacs that love to go out and kill people. Go ahead drink, smoke, take drugs, but keep it in your homes, and away from public views eye. Again, I am not an idiot, just a wisened up person. Why don't all you drinkers do the same, and save more lives. "

" Get a life! If you don't like booze, or have smashed into the same telephone pole twice, that doesn't give you the right to criticize anyone that does enjoy the ocassional adult beverage. You are a complete idiot to keep up on this, because you made a COUPLE of mistakes, you want to bear the flag of the chosen one. Get off your high horse, and leave the respectable, responsible people alone. Too bad you weren't going a little faster, into the pole that is. "

" I can think of one thing you. Drinking can be fun if done in the right way. You are one of those Jesus freeks, I imagine, and never have any fun. What about having a glass of red wine for your heart. Or enjoying a cold class of beer while watching the game. Like I said before, if it does not effect you leave me the hell alone. "

" Let's make a list of all the good things that come from the consumption of alcohol.

Let's see..... There's..... no wait, what about..... or maybe....no not really.....

Sorry, I can't think of any.

I can think of a lot of failed marriages, fatherless children, homelessness, joblessness, domestic violence, poverty, and disease.

But hey, it's fun right? "

" Wow nice rant. You made mistakes you drove drunk. Dont say drinking should be illegal, what about smoking, car racing, flying in a plane. People die in all these things, yet you are not complaning about them. You could not handle it, so dont judge everyone else on your mistakes. Use your head, think about what happened last time some idiot like you tried to make it illegal. It did not work. Make your own choices. You have a hard time doing that so stay out of ereryone elses busines. "

" Here's what I learned from my wild experiences years ago in high school: 1) The house where parents are frequently not home becomes the party hangout. 2) There is nothing a teenager can do after 11:00 that he couldn't do before 11:00. A curfew is a good idea and should be enforced. 3) A house with a cabinet full/refridgerator full of booze is an unnecessary temptation, especially for visitors. 4)The consequence of getting in trouble with friends should be, at the very least, separation from those friends, carried out by parents. 5)The consequence of driving drunk should be, at the very least, the loss of driving priveleges, carried out by parents. 6) The consequence of breaking training while a member of a sports team should be, at the very least, dismissal from the team, carried out by the coach, by school officials and by the parents. 7) The consequence of being brought home in a cop car should be serious community service--in my case, mowing lawn for every old lady in the neighborhood until the offender graduates--carried out by the parents. I hope these little punks are getting some consequences. Otherwise, they will grow up to be clueless jocks. Not a pretty sight in the adult world. "

" I am not a moron, nor an idiot. It was when I decided to party, and drive, that was when I became an Idiot and a moron. Drinking hurts whether you are at home or not. Yes I know that the legal age is 21. It should be illegal totally to drink. With the numbers of people drinking, driving drunk, and then murder because they killed someone, rising up more and more each day, it should be banned totally. You drink, you pay the price. I have paid my price more than a couple of times. That was my wake up call. If you want to be able to drink, then expect to suffer the consequences by doing so. I don't agree with the statistics about people living longer than the age of 40 or 50 by drinking. Again, it has been proven over and over, drinking does hurt your body. The alcohol hurts your liver, heart, blood, and anything else that is in your body. I will not say that not drinking will make you live longer. There are other elements out there that can cause people to die ealier. Cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. We all can get it. Its not heriditary for cancer, anything can cause it. But the point is, its still wrong to drink, to party, to waste your life away, doing something that doesn't get you ANYWHERE in life, but perhaps a coffin. Perhaps the 91 year old grandfather has tougher genes than the father who died of liver cancer? Who knows. Bottom line is drinking will kill eventually. Why kill yourself? Why do that to your brain, and other organs in your body? Why do it at all? Its not fun, it never has been fun. The outcome of over drinking is detrimental. Hangovers aren't fun. They are terrible. Why would you put yourself through any of that anymore at all?

You who say drinking is fun and ok NEED to realize the poor example you are setting for this younger generation. You NEED to know that it will hurt in the end. If you don't realize that, and don't wake up to reality, its going to be too late to change anything. There are too many accidents from drunk drivers and even alcohol poisoning, where people are dying. Is it not worth saving someone's life or lives by not drinking yourself and telling those around you and to the youth to not do it? Yes I think it is worth it. Again, I am not an idiot, nor a moron. Just a wiser person today, than I was a few years ago or more. Just wish I had wisen up along time ago. "

" These boys should know that there are plenty of wonderful alternatives to drinking, such as knitting, planting trees, smoking, scripture study, checkers, volunteering, and writing on the Argus Observer Sports blog. "

" One of my drinking binges before legal age left me with a lobotomy the next mornin juss sayin.....

Guy's it ain't worth it.Pretty soon, many of you may end up drinking because you have to not because you want to. No wait Maybe you are drinking because you have to because if you don't yer a "preppy". Been there done that. "

" It isn't Ontario's biggest social of the year. There are many others, and it is controled, and everyone at the event is of age. Don't lay blame to other parents that are participating in something that helps a school out. If you don't like alcohol than say so, but don't be anti drinking because some kids made the wrong decision. Young adults will keep on making decisions like these, regardless of what you or even their parents say. Do you actually beleive these were the first drinks these kids have had? So the Barn Dance can't lay claim to there poor decisions... "

" I find it curious these kids decided to have a "drinking party" the same night as Ontario's biggest drinking party was going on...The Barn Dance. I wonder how many children attending this party had absent parents, also at a drinking party. Monkey see, monkey do....and lets leave Fruitland out of this. What could the town or athletics of Fruitland have to do with this? It is just another example of how Ontario HS can and should do better. Maybe thats why they are all so jealous of Fruitland? "

" What is wrong with you? The legal drinking age is 21, did you know that? And your whole spin on crashing into loved ones, vegitative state, is absurd. I don't think anyone is talking about drinking 15 beers and getting behind the wheel to race home. I do understand your point on drinking and driving, but you are close minded to the drinking part. We aren't talking about smoking pot, or something illegal, you were talking about not drinking at all. I can make my own choices about what I do if I am of age. "

" What this all boils down to is this: IF YOU ARE UNDER 21 YOU CANNOT DRINK. PERIOD. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IF YOU GET CAUGHT YOU SHOULD BE PUNISHED-MAKE IT HURT! Kids think they are too cool and above the law and rules, they are NOT. If you drank, you deserve every punishment coming to you. I think you are bigger idiot and moron for drinking under the age limit- it truly is not worth it. It will affect your scholastic and professional career as well as your legal reputation for the rest of your life. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS! "

" You are being closed minded and also sound like a real moron. You could not hold your liquer and made a couple of bad dissions. I drink at home and no more then two or three beers. Sometimes my grandfather comes over and has a beer with me. He is ninty one and as healthy as a horse. He has drank since he was eithteen years of age. His son, my dad never touched a beer in his life and died of liver cancer at 46. Getting out of bed every morning can kill you, but it is worth it. Dont be such a close minded idiot. "

" What is comes down to is loyalty. Those athletes should not have been at the party. Especially, during the season. They let their teammates and coaches down. "

" Your point is missed due to your inability to speak English. Your post looks like something Ray would write. "

" I is gonna say whats on my mind about this. I dunno about you alls, but it isn't so bad to drink a beers or too somtimes. I think them childrens just need to be talked at about not drinkin until you is of age. I think them boys looked pretty good against the nyssa, so I spose they donts need them boys that was drinkin anyway. They coulds beats that Fruitland with 20 player suspendid. "

" The "average" kid who goes to any high school can be arrested for just about anything, stealing, drinking, smoking, snorting cocaine, smoking crack or meth, etc., etc., and still be allowed to attend school as long as he/she is neither under the influence or in possession of any of the illegal (including illegal due to age)substances listed, or commit a crime while at school (on school property) or at a school function (even if at another school such as an away game). If the "average" student chooses to take part in something extracurricular (sports, clubs, student officer, ffa, and so on)he or she signs an agreement that says if they violate any school rules pertaining to alcohol or other drugs, or commit another crime (like shoplifting or assault, etc.)they are subject to suspension from their extra curricular activity (but not from school unless the violation took place at school or at a school function)for a certain length of time depending on the violation and circumstances. For example, a student who is at an underage drinking party, but does not drink, usually will get a lesser penalty than someone who actually drinks. The persons involved do not have to be cited by police for something in order to be subject to penalties; although I am sure it makes it easier for school officials to find out who was involved if they are cited. If not, then they have to rely on students (and parents) who will tell the truth about involvement and not try to lie their way out of it. I guess that is what character is all about. Some people have it and some don't and we all know who does and who doesn't. "

" Hmmm... It seems that you guys are getting off topic again. All of the sports blogs on this website are supposed to be about why Ontario is better than Fruitland or why Fruitland is better than Ontario. Try to keep on subject please. "

" You know what is most disturbing here is how many of you think its ok to party with drinking, telling the kids in high school if not younger ones, to wait till their "legal" to party, drink at another place or just don't say anything to any officials if they did drink, instead of telling them its not OK to DRINK at all and to let them know they need to face up to their responsibilities here. Its disturbing how alot of you are encouraging this absent minded behavior to the young generation. Do you not remember the guy who killed his 8 year old daughter because he was drinking and driving while she was in the vehicle with him? Or anyone else in the past few years who have died because of intoxicated people who had or have no respect for them, or themselves? Perhaps when you end up in prison for vehicular manslaughter because you were drinking and driving and crashed into them, and not using your heads, perhaps then, maybe you will see the harm its DOES cause. These kids should have community service in talking to other kids or people period, about why its important to NOT drink at all at parties. Why its important to their health and lives and the lives of others to not drink. Again I will state that it doesn't just hurt yourself, it hurts those around you. Wake up and realize it. "

" Just because we've done it, does not - I repeat NOT, excuse others from doing it. That is like telling your kid "go on and do pot... I can't tell you not to, because I've done it when I was a kid."

That is only trying to justify what they have done. They did what they did.

It still comes down to parenting. "

" deviltotheblessed asked, "why does the school get to punish them?"

I assume because they are (were) athletes and had signed a behavior contract. Their behavior at this party violated the contract they signed - and agreed to abide by.

I doubt the school "punishes" the average student for drinking - but these students were special - they had agreed to NOT participate in this type of behavior. They had AGREED to set themselves up as role models for the rest of the student body. "

" You can't tell me that you never lied to your parents about where you're going. Everyone has done it and everyone will do it. I know some of these kids, they're all very bright and intelligent but just caught up in something they shouldn't have been dealing with. I know for a fact that this has changed their lifestyle around a great but right now. I commend them for stepping up to the plate and being honest and taking fault for what they've done. I am disappointed for I know some of the kids who simply lied their way through this just so mommy and daddy didn't have to hear about it. Keep your heads up kids, it'll get better along the way. In a couple of weeks everyone in this town will find other matters to stick their noses in, even if they don't belong. "

" This happens every year in every school. Kids are going to party.... "

" This all comes down to knowing where you child is, and trusting your child to be truthful. It is pretty pathetic that the parents don't know about what their kids are doing... Partying at someones house? that is pretty bad, you have to admit.
Kids, go ahead and party... just leave the beer and whatnot alone untill you are legal. "

" I think it's safe to say that this underage drinking in high school is no taboo subject. This has pretty much become a part of american culture to party and have fun with your friends during the high school years. These idiots act like they never knew teenager's did such things and are shocked. To see the administration take action as if the kids killed somebody is ridiculous. Along with the police department who can catch some minor's drinking but when it comes to catching real criminal's they are about worthless. And if the kids weren't caught by law enforcement why does the school get to punish them? And I'm sure the school all questioned these kids without their parents present like they've done before. Just be smarter next time and keep your mouth's shut. "

" To the one who responded saying that drinking a couple of beers after a long week is ok to do, and is fun, well to me that is being very close minded to the facts of what happens if you drink too much. And yes drinking a couple of beers is doing damage to your brain, heart, liver, and kidneys, slowly but surely. If you think that way that it doesn't harm you or anyone else, then you are blind to the facts of how harmful alcohol really is to our bodies. If you think you aren't hurting yourself or no one else with that thinking and doing, think again. Because it does hurt those around you. It hurts your families, it hurts other families if you drink and drive then crash into their loved ones that perhaps will die or are in a vegetative state after the crash. You think that drinking a little or maybe a little more will not hurt anyone at all. Well it shows a poor example to the teens in high school or to the elementary age school children. I am not being closed minded here, because I have been at a stage where I did do my drinking and wow, I had a couple of wake up calls to show me how detrimental it really is. Don't tell me am being close minded because it was close minded when I didn't realize at first what it was doing to my family or my children. Think again. "

" wow. This party happened at a law enforcement officers' (former h.s. officer) house, thrown by his son, down the street from the high school principals' house... And Carter doesn't know how they found out.. hahaha get real. You'll get what you have comin boys.. suck it up. Be glad you were on the hill and not next to the high school.. remember that party? It was way worse in repercussions, but maybe that too was due to the last name. "

" Dr. Carter is an idiot! With all the problems Ontario High School faces, and hopefully his job-he is talking with the paper about this? Come on, let the school itself take care of this matter. As fans we will figure it out at game time, or around town. The school will never know who was actually involved, if the police weren't involved. Dr. Carter, shame on you for even still being here.......... "

" I love to drink, but I am of age. There is nothing wrong with having a couple of beers after a long week of work. You are one of those people that is so closed minded, that you think everything fun is bad. I agree with the kids, but give me a break about the adult crap. "

" I also heard that the party was sponsored by a child of someone in local law enforcement. That same kid was the one who allegedly asked a willing adult to buy the alcohol that was used at the party. But it goes back to what I said along with the other comments made earlier, special treatment for special kids and the kids that were up front are severly punished and the other kids got a lecture and nothing more. Did they deserve the suspension, yes, as does the other kids that were there.

Life lessons kids, don't be surprised that when the stuff hit the fan, some of the people you thought were on your side and biggest supporters will turn their back to you. The 9 of you that stood up and said you were wrong, I commend you for at least doing that, but LEARN from this mistake and do not repeat the behavior.

Drinking causes more problems that you can imagine and if you need a buzz, get it at with good friends doing good things, or weekend get aways with family and most of all, playing a sport that you love.

Finally, family names in town should not determine what the outcome of punishment is, make the suspensions fair all the way around, because not all kids on the team parents were born and raised in an area where a family name is established or have silver spoons in their mouths. "

" From what I heard was that this party happened at a Deputy Sheriff's home or a Malheur County Sheriff's home where the Sheriff wasn't home, but his son was and had the party. If this is true, I think that son should have more than a suspension from a few games to perhaps no games at all, and those involved, should be kicked off the teams totally. This would get the message across that going against a code there has to be consequences for stupid choices. And yes this was stupid choices that those kids made whether they were drinking or not, they made the choice to be there. I remember once at a school that there were kids drinking at a party who were on the basketball team, and thinking that they weren't going to go to playoffs or state, decided to make the stupid choice of drinking at a party. There were two or three of those players that were kicked off the team and couldn't play in the play off with another team, because of their actions. Had they not made that bad decision, the team could have won the game with all their starters, and gone on to state. But because a couple of the starters weren't there, they lost that game and lost the chance to go to state. So kids think SMART don't START. Drinking really does mess your body up health wise, takes away smart decisions, and not being able to focus on anything important. So please don't drink at all. It really isn't cool to party with alcohol. It makes you less of a person. Same with adults. Its not really cool to go out and drink, especially when driving is involved. Its more cool to say "NO". "

" I just like to know if the Administrators will suspend others if they were said to be drinking (via hearsay) yet the student denies it. From what I know, the kids that were suspended were big enough to admit that they were there and possibly had drinks. Other kids denied being there and that was good enough for the school. So it appears that the Administration answered to what initially was hearsay because the kids were not caught by parents or law enforcement.

I think this party had more than 9 kids there if it was a big enough party to be talked about at school. Maybe it hurts the school, but forfeit a game to send the message to the team because many members of the team was there, denied being there and will be allowed to play tonight.

To the kids, if you are a team, then look at the other kids and say to walk away from underage drinking, etc. then leave yourself and tell an adult. Because someone could have been seriously hurt behind underage drinking as well as driving. It frustrates me to know that it took an entire weekend to past before this was spoke about to any adult. Even then, I am under the impression that the party taking place was overheard and not reported. Kids, be smart, stay young and enjoy the best days of your lives, please!!!!! "

" WOW! Dr. Carter your statement seems to have left out a couple of football players that initially had their names on the special list for suspension but somehow now those players are not being disciplined at all. Dr. Carter with the bond coming up to improve our schools outer façade, perhaps we should be using monies to replace our current administrators to ones who don’t back down to pressure of families that have name values with our community. It’s a shame that this administration is teaching our children that its not what is right verses wrong, winning is more important than teaching values. Maybe the voters of this community should consider this when they cast their votes this election season. What is Ontario becoming……. Fruitland? "

" You can be a student athlete in New Plymouth, get caught drinking by an administrator and not have the school district do anything! "