Dear Editor,
As a former Gilroy High School student and cheerleader all four
years of high school, I was saddened to learn about the
”
Spirit Team Given an ‘N’ and ‘O’ for Field Trip.
”
Dear Editor,
As a former Gilroy High School student and cheerleader all four years of high school, I was saddened to learn about the “Spirit Team Given an ‘N’ and ‘O’ for Field Trip.”
These talented girls and former teammates of mine worked hard at cheer camp to get the honor for participating in the Pro Bowl halftime in Hawaii. When I was a freshman, the varsity team was allowed to go, when I was a junior and on varsity, my team and I were allowed to go. Now all of a sudden the answer is no?
To even think that the Gilroy Unified School District Board could take such an honor away disgusts me.
The new policy that was passed says that a loss of class time is excessive. Yes they would be missing three days, but you have to look at the bigger picture.
Students miss weeks at a time for trips, family vacations and even ditching, as well as sports teams who leave classes early to get to their games on time.
Missing those three days, where they could easily make up the work, just as previous cheerleaders have done before when going to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl trip, is not that big of a deal.
I agree with Trustee David McRae, the experiences from numerous trips in high school is something you will always remember, not those three days in school where you could have been on a school trip.
When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to travel to Florida, Hollywood, Hawaii and London as a cheerleader. Those experiences are ones that I will never forget. On the other hand, and no offense to the band, but why is it that they can go on numerous field trips that will add up to the same amount of days lost that the cheerleaders would have missed, yet the cheerleaders still aren’t allowed to go? It just isn’t fair.
Continuing to read the article about the crushed hopes, Trustee Tom Bundros has some nerve. Yes, there is life after high school, but the experiences you remember from high school are the ones that stay with you for the rest of your life, not the time in the classroom.
I think the school board should think over their decision, and let these girls go. The Pro Bowl performance is a huge honor to be a part of, and it is a memory that will last a lifetime.
Jessica Stone, Gilroy
