A Petition of Possibility By: Mary Seibt
The eerie silence of deserted roads, somber schools, and lethargic lives people have adjusted to, has descended over the globe. Tears of unexpected goodbyes, the last hellos, and a clog to daily routines have taken over what was once a bumbling, peppy town. The devastating spring sports closure announcement on April 8 dramatically continues to put a pause on regular life, especially for students who look forward to their spring sports at Lake Oswego High School as well as other high schools in Oregon. However, the COVID-19 virus caused an announcement that created a much bigger controversy than what could have been expected.
Hours after Governor Kate Brown announced the closure of spring high school sports, students and community citizens banded together across the state of Oregon and created a petition to move these sports seasons into the summertime, after quarantine is predicted to end. The petition currently has 18,765 signatures as of April 20, from members of the high school sports community around the whole state, and the numbers are still rising.
"All of us on the lacrosse team were super close to these seniors, I was expecting the cancellation, however, I am still devastated. We worked so hard from winter weight training, to captains practices, to the short beginning of the season we got. I signed the petition not only for myself, but for the seniors who weren’t given a final season” explains Rylee Winn, sophomore.
Would the student-lead petition even be considered by the administration and government? Lake Oswego High School’s athletic director, Brigham Baker, says “it would be difficult with such short notice. It is terrible for seniors especially around the state, but I do not know of a way where it could be completed.” The general consensus of the interview was that all students' safety, athlete or not, has been put first by the school administration, and “it is their number one priority.”
Track and Field athlete, Sam Chandler (sophomore), stated that “a jamboree or meet in the summer to honor the seniors state-wide would be a good idea. I don’t think a whole season is reasonable as kids have their own summer sports as well, but a one day event of some sort would be nice”.
Although Baker makes it clear that a summer season won’t be able to happen, most likely, because of the timing and complications, students are still pushing for some sort of season or jamboree, as suggested by Chandler as well as Winn.
A sophomore tennis player, Ashley Hefferenan, adds “I really hope our district will take the time to answer our questions and take action on the topic of spring sports. But the best thing we can do right now is put our heads together, we are all in the same boat right now, and I think everyone would appreciate more awareness around this possible season”.