Growing up in the North, I fell in love with a fantastic sport: lacrosse. Over the years, I’ve dedicated my life to this sport, coaching youth aged 8–14 and high school students, including my own son and daughter. I have witnessed the joy, determination, and teamwork that lacrosse inspires in young individuals. Watching them grow their skills and their love for the game is a reward like no other. This is why I am so passionate about expanding opportunities for lacrosse in our community.

I have worked tirelessly to build a feeder program for Benton, nurturing lacrosse development from the youth level to high school. Despite this progress, I believe we can do more. Benton High School is currently constructing a new turf field. This is the perfect time to add permanent lacrosse lines to the field—making a clear statement of the school's commitment to this incredible sport. More importantly, this is a golden opportunity for Benton High School to officially adopt lacrosse as a school sport.

Why Lacrosse?
Lacrosse isn’t just a game; it’s a gateway to opportunity. Among all high school sports, lacrosse offers some of the best odds for students to play at the collegiate level. According to the NCAA, 14% of high school lacrosse players (men 14.4% and women 13.8%) go on to play in college, making it one of the most accessible sports for athletic scholarships and recruitment opportunities. Compare this to sports like football (7.5%), baseball (8.1%), soccer (6.1%), or basketball (3.6%), and the advantages become clear. Lacrosse can open doors for students that might otherwise remain closed.

Why Benton High School?
This initiative isn’t just about our school—it’s about our community. I currently coach players from Benton as well as surrounding schools that don’t have lacrosse teams. Without Benton’s program, these students would have no outlet to play the sport they love. Benton High School can be a beacon for these young athletes, allowing them to join our team until their own schools establish programs. No child should be denied the opportunity to participate simply because their school doesn’t offer lacrosse.

My Personal Journey
After the 9/11 attacks, I chose to serve my country in the Marine Corps, sacrificing my chance to play lacrosse and football in college. I don’t want our children to miss out on the opportunities I forfeited. They deserve every chance to chase their dreams, whether on the field or in the classroom.

This petition isn’t just about adding lines to a field. It’s about making lacrosse a recognized and celebrated part of our community. It’s about creating opportunities, fostering teamwork, and teaching life skills through this beautiful game.

Join Us
Together, we can make this happen. Let’s ensure that Benton High School embraces lacrosse and gives our kids—both Benton students and others in the area—the chance to play, grow, and thrive. Your support can help pave the way for countless young athletes and cement lacrosse as a cornerstone of our community’s future.

Please sign this petition and help us make this vision a reality. Every signature takes us closer to giving our children the opportunity to excel and reach their full potential through the sport of lacrosse.

Sheri Pool

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