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We are members of the Green Hope High School community, writing to express our deep concerns regarding the current Student Athlete Code of Conduct, which unfairly excludes deserving students from participating in Green Hope's Signing Day Ceremony.

Background

Starting this year, Green Hope High School enforces a policy that bars students from participating in the Signing Day Ceremony if they did not participate in Green Hope Athletics during their senior year.  Green Hope is the only high school in Wake County with such a restrictive policy.  This policy specifically disadvantages students whose athletic seasons in the fall of their senior year overlap with crucial college recruiting activities, making it impossible for them to compete for their high school team (due to minimum attendance requirements).  The policy creates disparities between boys' and girls' sports, depending on who is competing in the fall season.

Several remarkable student athletes, including two women tennis players, who committed their time and energy to represent Green Hope High School and won the State Championship during their junior year, find themselves unfairly excluded from Signing Day under this current policy.  Their contributions to Green Hope Athletics are no different, and should be recognized alongside those of their peers.  

Despite outreach from concerned parents, Principal Cleveland and Athletic Director St. John have not provided any explanation for why Green Hope uniquely adopts this discriminatory policy. The absence of transparency and rationale for such an exclusionary stance is deeply troubling.

Our Request

Principal Cleveland and Athletic Director St. John should immediately remove this policy and recognize the efforts and contributions of all graduating students who have been awarded athletic scholarships.

Why This Matters

This policy not only contradicts the principles of fairness and recognition central to our educational philosophy but also disheartens and alienates students who have shown immense dedication, talent, and commitment to Green Hope Athletics. It sends a distressing message to our youth - that their hard-earned achievements and contributions to GHHS can be overlooked due to the whims of school administration.  We believe that the achievements of these students should be celebrated, and school policies should support participation in all manner of extracurricular activities.

Sign this petition to advocate for fair and inclusive policies at Green Hope High School.  Let’s ensure our school policies reflect the values of our community and support all students equally.

Thank you for your consideration and support. Go Falcons!