Support extracurricular activities by voting yes

Extracurricular activities at the various institutions throughout our district are often considered by students one of the more pleasurable aspects of their education. Indeed, we have over 2,100 students involved in enterprises outside of the classroom, all who have done exceedingly well at the local and state level. The Sandpoint high school alone has already produced seven state champions and numerous runner-ups in everything from volleyball and soccer to drama and academic decathlon in the last two years alone.

All of this outstanding achievement depends on our community for continued financial support. One hundred percent of extracurricular funding is currently derived from levy dollars, and not passing the replacement levy on March 20 leaves us with the very real possibility of sports, band, choir, and all other such activities being cut.

So what does this mean for us kids? If the levy doesn't pass, our community's youth would be faced with the prospect of paying for said activities out of pocket, or not participating at all. Anyone care to find out how much private singing instruction costs? Dance lessons? Club sports? It's a sum many simply can't match. And what about football? A football team for middle- and high school-age children outside of school simply doesn't exist in the Sandpoint area! Yes, some would find ways to circumvent these obstacles, but the majority would not.

And thus, our community would be relinquished of many things that make it truly great; us kids denied the opportunity to focus our attentions on something worthwhile that will leave a positive impact for the rest of our lives.

The question is not whether we can afford to pass the levy. The real question is: Can we afford not to?

CASEY DUNN, SHS soccer

LAURA FLANNERY,

SHS drama

JESSE JAVANA,

SHS cross country

VICTORIA VARDELL,

SHS track

AUSTIN POSEY, SHS football

KEVIN PFEIFER, SHS Academic Decathlon

CHRISTINA WILSON,

SHS swimming