30 girls sign petition seeking approval

Another competitive sport has been added to Carthage R-9 giving girls another spring athletic option in which to participate.

In brief and swift action, the Carthage Board of Education Monday night unanimously approved the addition of girls soccer for the spring of the 2008-09 school year.
Representing about 30 girls who signed a petition seeking the approval of the sport, CHS student Yanira Reyes said the boys have had soccer for many years, “and we want the same opportunity.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Reed said the girls – Reyes, Keisha Boyd and Ashley Shannon – went through the proper channels to present the request. They had met with CHS Principal Kandy Frazier and Athletic Director Andy Youngworth seeking advice on how to present their request.

Youngworth then crunched some numbers and came up with a $25,000 to $30,000 budget and checked with other schools seeking input.

Carthage is entering the Central Ozark Conference (COC) next year and all but one school will have girls soccer – Webb City doesn’t have the sport and Republic will introduce it in the 2009-2010 school year.

Had Carthage elected to stay in the Southwest Conference next year, only Neosho would have girls soccer. Neosho also is entering the COC next year.

“Obviously one of the main concerns is finances,” said Youngworth. “We really don’t have that money budgeted, but if there is interest – and there is – then the money will be found.

“Since girls swimming moved from spring to winter, the girls had only one sport (track) to participate in,” said Youngworth. “This gives them another option.”
Reed said at the board meeting that the administration supports the proposal to add girls soccer.

“Kids do better when they’re involved in an activity. They do better in their studies and  attendance,” said Reed.

Reyes said she came up with the plan to request girls soccer about a month ago.

“I had a lot of friends who really wanted to play soccer but didn’t want to try out for the boys team, said Reyes. “So we decided that if we had the support, we should have a separate girls team.

“The response I got (from Coach Youngworth, Frazier and Dr. Reed) was really great,” continued Reyes. “Everyone really helped us and they were all for it.”
Reyes, who played on the boys team this year, will be a senior next year.

“I’m looking forward to being a senior leader next year,” she said.

“It was Yanira who really but this thing together,” said Youngworth. “She did her homework and did a great job in getting support.”

Youngworth said the preliminary budget is higher the first year because of the