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OPINIONS
Voice of the people
Youth coaches unfair to kids in Wayne
I am writing on behalf of myself and many other parents of the Wayne Youth Football League. When a child participates in youth athletics, it is to be a positive learning experience. Do not expect that to happen in Wayne.
The Wayne C team had an excellent turnout for participation in the football program. We understand that it is difficult to play all of them; however, all the kids were not given an equal opportunity or not even a chance. The same kids played both sides of the ball almost the entire game every game. When our kids were given the chance, it was in the last two minutes of the game.
As parents, what answers do we give our kids when they come off the field saying, "Why did I only get to play two or three plays when I practiced so hard this week?" To all the Wayne coaches, if you can take a few minutes to think about our kids, not only the kids of the coaches, and how would you respond to this question? A lot of kids' self-esteem, pride and love for the sport of football have been altered thanks to these coaches.
I hope that next year the coaches have an eye-opener and realize that these kids have talent and feelings just the same as their kids. This is not the first year this has happened, but I hope next year that our kids can be judged on their ability instead of their name, who their parents are or how much money they have. This team and group of boys have such talent that it is a shame the coaches are taking it away from them.
Jennifer Davenport
Wayne
Classroom procedure needs to be evaluated
I read a letter to the editor in The Herald-Dispatch that sickened and horrified me. The article states that castration was performed on live pigs in the Boyd County High School. The teacher instructed the students to hold the baby pigs by their hind legs, take a scalpel and castrate them. The writer stated her son participated, and the pigs had squealed in pain.
How can we allow such barbaric procedures in our high schools? Who approves this kind of a curriculum?
If you teach students that the pain felt by live creatures is acceptable because after all "it is just baby pigs," what are you teaching them? You are teaching them such insensitivity to the pain of live animals is acceptable.
Our young people see simulated violence against animals and humans in movies and on TV. The difference here is that the violence was real and sanctioned, even ordered, by those to whom they are supposed to look to mold their character.
The letter did not say, but I am wondering, after the baby pigs were castrated, were they left to die in pain? Where they disposed of still alive and in pain in a disposal container.
What absolute horror. This classroom procedure needs to be investigated and stopped.
Carole Boster
Huntington
