Rule makers apply justice, but too late

Rules are rules, but they don't always translate to justice and nothing beats a little common sense.

And it's especially unjust when strict application of the rules robs an honorable student of experiences that may only come once during a short, busy high school career.

Such was the case of Anthony Lytle, senior running back for Cambridge High School last year, who was forced to miss his all-state choir performance because the Trojans were playing for the Class C2 state championship.

But the rule, strictly enforced in Lytle's case, said that if an all-state choir performer missed any practice, he or she wouldn't be allowed to perform. That included missing a practice for the state football championship.

Thankfully, the injustice of the system was recognized, and the rule changed in time for Blue Hill football player Ben Wademan to play in Friday's Class C2 championship, as well as sing in the all-state choir.

Wademan's presence at the football game wasn't enough to win the game -- which his team lost to Wakefield 34-7, but he was able to rush off to practice for the All-State Chorus final concert, which was held at the Lied Center in Lincoln.

"Thanks to the Cambridge guy, they made a new rule," Wademan told the Hastings Tribune. "I was jubilant to be able to do both. It's the highest point in my football career, and the highest point in my music career. All I can say is thanks to him."

We echo that. But we'd also like to add: shame on the decision makers who weren't able to find a way to apply justice in time for Anthony Lytle to enjoy all of the experiences to which he was entitled in his last year of high school.