As a student athlete who has experienced four transformative years under the mentorship of Coach Yaquelin Valencia, also known as Coach Jackie, the decision by Kennedy High administration to prevent her from coaching the 2024/2025 soccer season is deeply distressing. A staple of our school community, Coach Jackie has proven herself through tireless dedication and a deep commitment not only to the sports she coaches but also to the wellbeing of all her students.

For the past eight years, Coach Jackie has worked in close collaboration with our school staff, providing unwavering support to ensure we meet the requirements to play each sport. It is under her leadership that our teams have reached the playoffs. It's not just her professional credentials and accomplishments that stand out, but her advocacy for us athletes. She has been courageous, speaking out about the lack of resources and equity in equipment and uniforms among the various sports she manages.

Our situation at Kennedy High is a direct reflection of her efforts. The result of Coach Jackie's absence on the field will have a tangible effect on all student-athletes she has mentored. She is more than our coach; she's a role model and a supportive figure who genuinely invests in our personal and athletic growth.

The decision to bar Coach Jackie from coaching the upcoming soccer season seems like a retaliation for her courage in speaking against the unfairness in our sports department. This is not just a personal issue, but one that affects the entire school community.

We need your support to right this wrong. Stand with us; let’s ensure that Coach Jackie returns to her rightful place, leading us on the soccer field in the 2024/2025 season. Please sign this petition to reinstate Coach Yaquelin Valencia at Kennedy High.