This petition begins with a heartfelt and personal plea of a parent whose child has, along with countless other young athletes, suffered under the leadership team within the Fitch High School cheer program. My daughter’s joy, passion, and years-long commitment to a sport she has loved since the age of four were overlooked when she was wrongfully ousted from the team. Now, we would like to prevent this from happening to others and give more athletes a chance to continue pursuing the sport of cheer that they all love so much. 

Our focus is on the toxic and mentally damaging environment cultivated under the head coach’s tenure. The favoritism, inconsistencies in the way certain athletes are treated and the physical and mental demand that is put on these student athletes isn’t what cheer is supposed to be about. We are asking for systemic change that prioritizes the mental wellbeing and safety of our children over anything else. This especially includes winning, which seems to be the only thing she cares about. Sadly, the negative effects of such environments do not stop at team dismissal but can lead to lasting emotional damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, children who experience such toxic atmospheres can suffer some long-term health consequences that can extend into adulthood. We, therefore, demand swift action from the school board.

It is with an urgent appeal that we call on the administration and school board to take these concerns seriously and replace this person with a coach who will nurture our daughters' and son's dreams and passions with kindness, respect and fairness for ALL athletes. Please sign this petition to support the change in leadership at the Fitch High School cheer program and help be the voice for so many that have fallen on deaf ears for too long. Together we can help make a difference in advocating for the dreams and wellbeing of many young athletes for their futures to come.