Shannon Plummer for Island Rec

To the Editor:

Please join me in voting YES on the Island Rec Levy.

Without the Island Rec levy, the fallout is simple to predict. No more sports for Friday Harbor High School. Colleges will stop offering sports scholarship money to many FHHS graduates – graduates who, because of our Island Rec-funded school sports program – would not have otherwise had the opportunity for post-secondary education. Those colleges looking for sports stars are not going to be seeking out students graduating from a high school that has no sports program.

And let’s be serious. Not all athletes are stellar students; however, the grade requirements FHHS imposes to stay eligible and play the sport they love drives them to overcome obstacles in the classroom and improve performance. I’ve seen firsthand. As well. it establishes a work ethic that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

School sports programs provide physical activity, build social skills and self-esteem, and teach kids to trust and push themselves.

Help give our island kids the strong educational and sports foundation that they need – by voting YES to the Island Rec Levy. Give them a chance at a college sports scholarship, teamwork skills, and a lifetime of memories.

Assistant Coach Shannon Plummer