“The only thing thats going to stop this is peer pressure.
As in an a## kicking for this behavior by his classmates.”
The only problem is that most of his classmates silently agree, and are just smart enough to avoid getting expelled. In the 1950s, yeah, he would have risked it. Today, he risks being elected prom king.
Then the battle is lost, and just stop saying the pledge.
Look at his ears closely.
Today, he risks being elected prom queen.