Bottle flipping, love it or hate it, has recently been tossed out of Cary-Grove in a recent ban issued by the deans. Arguments on both sides of the spectrum, from the minds of students to the authority of teachers and staff have been arguing this “fad,” as Mr. Kelly has titled the activity, which has generated much conversation.

However, to understand both sides of this story, and before anyone can choose a side, we must get down to the basics of the beliefs of both parties.

Those in favor of the flipping of bottles lead to one conclusion: flipping has brought people together and has been mildly enjoyable.

“It really is just a fun way to pass the time now and again,” freshman Keith Overbey said. “Really calms the nerves and such.”

Many leads point to it being mindless fun, a major stress reliever, and just something to do to pass the time. Flipping leads to a sense of challenge, some argue, and with this the human mind is engaged into this bottle-related activity, driving it to become flipping mad over being able to accomplish this feat, which, one must admit, is rather hard.

Bottle flipping truly seems like harmless fun… Right?

The other side of this topic has much to say otherwise.

“I did not find it that fun,” Mr. Kelly said. “I’d also say that I’m surprised how it has gotten to be so popular.”

“There is a safety risk,” Mrs. Langelund said. “When you are tossing something up in the air that has weight to it, there are always issues with that. We have had bottles break open with the contents of the bottle spilling on the floor, and then our custodians have to come and clean it up, which is not their job at all to clean up after a game”.

“We even have people get hit in the face or other parts of their body as a result of this,” said Mr. Kelly.  

These statements from the administration truly do take flipping out of the limelight it has been recently been put into, making it seem pretty flipping crazy toward safety standards. Given what has happened within school grounds, many incidents involving flipping have caused some concern regarding student safety. Some have been hurt, and, for the betterment of the students, the school has banned the flipping in what seems to be a pretty legitimate way to keep students focused.

Perhaps, however, in a way that can both allow students to flip and be safe, limiting the precautions that the administration has put into place which made it ban bottle flipping in the first place, I propose, with the recommendation of some students, that we could create a monitored safe zone in which bottle flipping can and will be allowed.

Doing so would make flipping constantly monitored, leaving the staff always ready to deal with any issues that flipping has to offer. Doing so would not only be safe, but also bring students together in one location, driven by the challenges and the desire to put their skills to the test, which truly is what this “fad” is about in the eyes of us millenials.

For now, flipping has flipped out of CGHS under the direction of the deans. From the standpoint of those opposed, the ban is effective. For those in favor of flipping, it is bogus. But, whatever side you choose on the matter, it boils down to one question that will constantly be asked amongst us:

To flip?

Or not to flip?

That is the question that C-G must ask itself about this flipping controversy.