Dear Editor,

I am an alumnus of YHS, I played on the varsity football team for 3 of their worst seasons in the late 90’s (very few players and 2 winless seasons). My family was a large part of lighting up Mike Shine Field in the fall of 1997.

I bleed red and white through and through. I feel for the kids losing their football team, I feel for the parents that fought a good fight. I probably would have felt the same way if this had happened when I played, but in the end, it comes down to no representation for Youngsville on the board.

When I moved back to the area, I wanted my kids to go to Youngsville for the same experiences I had going through those halls and playing under the lights on that field. I soon realized that the community was very different. Complacency had taken over in the community.

When school board elections were held, there was a person from Youngsville running for a Region 3 seat. I believe many Youngsville “voters” did not go to the polls or did not research the candidates. I thought it was very obvious what each of the winning candidate’s motivations were….THEIR SCHOOL/THEIR COMMUNITY, not Youngsville. Your Region 3 representatives, the ones you voted in (or didn’t vote at all), are the ones that were in favor of a co-op. How can someone blame the school board for the decision they made? Complacent Region 3 voters are the ones to blame. I am in no way a supporter of this school board, but they did the job they were elected to do.

If you do not want to lose your school, remember that when the polls open again. Is anyone from the Youngsville attendance area going to be on the Region 3 ballot? If someone is on the ballot, will the complacency end now that some people see what the future may hold for YHS?

The writing has been on the wall for approximately the last 10 years. What improvements have been done to YHS as compared to the rest of the district? The only “improvements” I have seen are improvements made by the student body/school administration in the last couple of years and a shoddy paint job in some classrooms due to the vandalism that took place (which I would call dark, depressing color schemes, that must have been paint the district found somewhere dirt cheap). As a coach, I have overheard visiting sports teams and spectators comment on how old and dirty YHS looks inside and question why is it still open.

To the players impacted by this decision, life is not fair. When one door closes, another will open. If you truly love the game, then I challenge you to come play for Warren and show the school board the numbers were there. There’s a new coaching staff at Warren, and I know they are looking for the best players to put on that field regardless of what town you live in. Go play, put in the time, effort, and hard work. This Eagle thinks it will pay off in the end.

To the parents impacted by this decision, encourage your kids to play football for Warren. Show them to overcome adversity and things out of their control. Keep fighting to make sure transportation is provided for Youngsville football players. Keep fighting for the cheerleaders and the marching band. Keep fighting for your community. Fight to end the complacency that has taken over in the Biggest Little Town on the Map. But most important, support not only the Eagles in blue and white, but also their new teammates and coaches. Fight against the diversity brought about by the school board…. Don’t fuel it.

YHS Class of ’98 and current Warren resident,

Jeremy M. Wyman