To the Editor:

I am writing to encourage you to vote yes to pass the school budget during the re-vote on June 18. If the budget doesn’t pass, one impact on students at Berne-Knox-Westerlo is that after-school activities, including sports, will not be funded.

I am currently a ninth-grader at BKW, and I participate in many after-school activities and sports, including cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and soccer. I feel that it is very important that after-school activities and sports are funded because all the different activities give each person a place to fit in and do something they love.

It is especially important to me that track and field be funded in the budget because it has given me the opportunity to travel, meet new people, make friends, and memories. It has taught me a lot about who I am as a person and what I want to do with my life.

For those who don’t know about track and field at the high school-level, there are many types of running events including sprints, mid-distance races, long-distance races, and relays. In field, there are many throwing and jumping events.

I like the sportsmanship of the athletes in track because everyone is there for everyone else, even if you are competing against them. In addition, I like that track-and-field athletes compete as a team, but also against themselves, always trying to get a personal best.

Track and field has introduced me to some of my best friends, and it has given me some of my fondest memories. In order to perform well in cross country and track, I have to train year-round. This has taught me discipline because I don’t always want to train but I have to in order to meet my goals.

Please go vote on June 18. When you do, please think about all the students who participate in a sport or after-school activity and how much it means to them — and vote “yes” to pass the budget.

Joaquin Abraham

BKW ninth-grader