Threading through the buzzing gossip in the halls of THS, talk of losing various teachers and coaches seems to dominate the thoughts of most students these days.

In the upcoming 2009-10 school year, Stansbury High School will be opening its doors, and with that, opening up faculty positions. A school without teachers to run classrooms, and coaches to oversee rowdy sports teams is not a school. Stansbury needs the staff, but what every THS student wants to know is who of ours will they take?

Although the need for a new high school in the growing valley is necessary, many THS athletes are uneasy about the future. Working with one particular coach the first three years of high school only to be switched to a new, unknown coach can throw a wrench into a lot of plans. Also, there's the possibility you'll be facing your former turncoat coach when you square off against SHS.

Worst of all, the student body has been left in the dark as to who is coming, going and staying. Some teachers who already live in Stansbury or other neighboring communities may be inclined to transfer schools, but all is tight-lipped for now, creating only more drama and suspense.

But there could be an upside to Stansbury High stealing all our best people: We'll be ready to get a heated rivalry going from day one.

For the rest of the students who may not play a sport, the unfinished school provides a new source of rivalry and in turn, a renewed pleasure in showing off school pride at various sporting events. When THS made the jump to 4A, many mourned the loss of the favored rival, Grantsville High School. For generations, the two high schools had gone head to head in gladiator fashion and enjoyed themselves thoroughly while doing it. Throwing yet another new competitor into the mix seems only to spell out more fun.

Unfortunately, some teachers will have to transfer, including our current principal Kendall Topham, who will head up SHS. But, as with graduating students, educators come and go. It seems almost unfair not to share some of our wealth with the new high school and sacrifice a few of our personal favorites in return for a couple of new teachers and coaches -- not to mention a brand-new rival.

So, to Stansbury High School, may whatever teachers and coaches you poach from us find as much success there as they did at THS. But one word of warning: Don't expect us to play too nice.

Kelci Sagers is a senior at Tooele High School.