Student Life

A common tradition among students from all different schools is the iconic baby powder (or in this case cornstarch) toss right as the second half of the home football game begins. Moorpark High School is no different, the cornstarch toss has become a Friday night highlight for many students at the school. Being in the student section with the cornstarch in hand, swaying back and forth, waiting for that clock to hit zero, was an unforgettable feeling. However, due to recent complaints, this tradition has been prohibited for all football games at MHS, upsetting many students since it is such a well-loved thing. The ban was put in place because many brands of baby powder contain talcum powder, which when breathed in, is extremely toxic and damaging to human lungs. Talc is now considered a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. In addition, some talc even contains asbestos which, “is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled”(“Talcum Powder and Cancer.” American Cancer Society, August 1, 2024, www.cancer.org). 

Despite these concerns, upset students decided to continue the tradition, against school rules, at the most recent home game (the Homecoming game on October 25). All school staff knows how well-loved this tradition is but their main priority is to keep, not only the students, but all the fans who come to support our school safe, while also maintaining their well-being. That is why the cornstarch toss has been prohibited and it is important that students keep this new school rule in mind when entering the next football season.