Sun, Sep 07 2008
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Published July 04, 2008 11:03 am - In June, the Webb City board of education decided not to form a soccer team and golf team for girls. Youth Views: Dwindling opportunities In June, the Webb City board of education decided not to form a soccer team and golf team for girls. The main reason: gas expenses. The board felt the increased cost in gas hampers the high school’s participation in out-of-town events.
Earlier this year, the Carl Junction R-1 Board of Education also decided not to form a girls’ soccer team. The reason: participation. Board members didn’t feel that enough athletes would participate. In Southwest Missouri, many girls are forced to pick between softball and volleyball — just like many boys, who are forced to choose between sports in one season. Each of those schools has its own reason for doing so, and we can’t fault their individual decisions. In the case of Webb City, we can certainly commiserate, because gas prices are hitting us hard as well. But the overall trend of waning opportunities, especially for girls, is disturbing. Another trend we see in Missouri schools is to replace muddy football fields with synthetic turf. Carl Junction, Joplin and Webb City have already built such fields. It would be a shame for a Missouri school to offer such a professional, top-of-the-line field, but not offer many programs for girls to use it. It’s good for students to be involved in something, especially something active. Such activities tie a student more deeply into the educational experience. That’s why we challenge the board members of our school districts to be reasonable and receptive to new activities, such as soccer, in these trying financial times. We know that school budgets are tight for a variety of reasons, and the inflation in gas and food costs certainly isn’t helping. We also realize that it is up to students to show board members that an activity is wanted, and that students should devote proper time and effort toward it. Once that is demonstrated, we hope that board members and administrators will roll up their sleeves and figure out a way to get kids out on the field. — The Globe’s Youth Editorial Board 
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