Emma+M’s+2015+OpEd+Article

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Sports is an common part of a high school experience. Playing on a good team is part of a high school experience. Playing for coaches you like is part of a high school experience. Recently at Foothill, there is a new addition of sports. Sports are a great extracurricular activity and it allows a safe-haven away from the stress of academics. But, before Foothill had taken part in the sports phenomenon students were allowed to play at either Ventura High School, or Buena High School. I have had a personal experience and have played volleyball at Ventura for my three years in High School. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences and have really been grateful for the coaching I have received. However, my sister who is in 8th grade is automatically accepted at Foothill but she can only play for Foothill's program. There is nothing against Foothill's up and coming program and knowing it can't be perfect the very first year, my sister would rather play for a more experienced program at Ventura High. This is one of the major reasons she decided not to come to Foothill. She has come to every one of my games for three years and all of the coaches know her already so she feels like that is where she wants to be. But why should she give up a better school academically so she can play where she wants to and if she was just a couple years older she would have that choice. Throughout the three years I have experienced Ventura High's volleyball outside of Foothill,I have always known there would eventually be Foothill's own sports teams. Every year, my coaches and staff at Ventura that parents of students who didn't male a team are upset. They are mainly upset because they feel it's unfair for a student who doesn't even technically goes to that school made a team and "took" their kids spot. But in reality, if their child wasn't good enough or a Foothill student is better wouldn't you want a stronger team for the school instead of complaining about it and changing the whole system? Now I know the angry parents weren't the only motivating factor to create a sports program Foothill wanted to be known as not only the "smart-kid" school but as a more well-rotunded school. In conclusion, even though Foothill's sports is thriving and will eventually be strong, students should still have a choice and not be limited by sports choices.