November 9, 2022

To Whom It May Concern;

My name is Jadyn Jones. I'm an 8th grade student at Avery Trace Middle School. I’m writing to you today in regards to the Avery Trace softball program. This is my second year playing for Avery Trace, and in that time I've observed some inexcusable disparities in your softball program compared to other Avery Trace athletics. The departments of soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, and others have all been provided with on campus facilities. These teams practice as well as compete in home games on campus. Softball however has no facilities provided for them on the Avery Trace campus. 

The baseball field at Avery trace has been deemed to only accommodate baseball boys. The softball player's question is why? Are male athletics more important than female athletics? The lack of motivation from the school to provide equal opportunity to both the male and female athletes says alot to your students without saying a word.

 I admire the IB trait “Strive for success”. All Avery Trace students hear this message in the announcements every morning. If this is the schools true intention for students why give the male athletes more opportunities than female athletes. This teaches the softball players that they don't deserve as much appreciation for their tribute to school success as the baseball players. This also indicates to the girls participating in your softball program that their school doesn't believe they should get equal privileges.  Providing a safe field to play on, and making it more opportunistic for fellow students to come support is not a big demand. 

Very little would need to be done to the existing baseball field to make it accommodate both the softball teams and the baseball teams. According to my estimations this could be done for anywhere from three thousand to five thousand dollars. I know the softball athletes, parents, and coaches would be more than willing to fundraise this money. Currently the softball players must travel 10-15 minutes across town to an open community park that has no security measures in place for both practices and home competitions. This is inconvenient and costly for coaching staff, players, and parents alike. 

Softball games are always low in spectator attendance because of the location. This park is not in the best part of town and the field itself is in disrepair and  dangerous for the athletes. By converting the baseball field to accommodate both teams the spectator admission fees would increase 10 fold. Other students and faculty members could attend softball games more easily and support the student athletes. Overall softball players would be granted a secure place in good repair to play the sport they love while proudly representing Avery Trace Middle School.

Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,
Jadyn Jones