Allow Mohawk Athletes To Act

Sports and theatre are both important and part of teaching our children about time management. If it is to much to stay in good standing for academic requirements to be as part of both programs than I think that child should not participate. But those able to handle both activities should be able to participate as long as appropriate cooperation between activities exist, it can be successful and as positive experience in how to handle multiple obligations at a time.

I am a Mohawk Alum and was a very active member of both the Mohawk Music Association (I was in 5 musicals, student directed 4 middle school musicals, participated in both Select Chorus and regular chorus) and of the Athletic Programs (Varsity Tennis and Ski Team). Throughout my duration at Mohawk (2000-2006), practices for the musicals and for sports teams were held at the same time. Due to this, I had to choose each season between doing sports or musicals. I couldn't participate in games unless I was at the practice the day before (between games and practices this was almost every day) and I couldn't miss play practice if I wanted to be in the final production. Some years I chose to be on the ski team and some years I chose to be part of the Musical. The Mohawk administration, and school leaders provided many outlets for me to develop in theater and athletics but I was expected by both my coaches and my directors to fully commit to one activity per season (I also would have like to run track and play tennis, but again they were during the same season). I was very grateful that there were three seasons of sports and two seasons of theater so that I could do it all, over the course of the year. As well as being an alum, I actively support the current theater program at Mohawk by attending (almost) all of the shows and by donating money to the productions. Mohawk theater was such an important part of my life and I am honored to be able to continue to participate as a supporter. I have been so impressed by the work that the students, directors, and parent volunteers have done over the past few years, and I am so grateful for all of the energy, talent, and enthusiasm that the directors have given to the students to help craft such excellent performances. I was even more impressed when I found out that the directors were holding practices after athletics in order to allow as many students as possible to participate (unlike when I was in school). As a former te

Let them do both.

Thank YOU Ady for the Selfless act of generosity toward your peers!! This decision did not effect you, personally, but you went after it and changed it!! You are a True Leader!

We've reached a conclusion! On January 4th, musical auditions will be held for ANYONE who wants to participate - athletes included! Big big big thanks to everyone who signed and commented, it really helped! I really appreciate everything you guys have done!!

Thank you to Everyone who supported this petition, created by my 16 year old Daughter, Ady!! The Decision was turned around and ALL 8th-12th grade Mohawk Students will be allowed to Audition after Winter Break!!!!

Good to see this has already got the required signatures, hopefully it will work. Having gone on to college and met many kids from larger schools, I was amazed by how few of them had participated in more than 1 big high school activity. I realized that in our small school, the coaches and directors must have known that if they tried to make kids choose one or the other, there wouldn't be enough kids to fill all the programs! Since the number of students is down since my day, I daresay that is still true. Congrats to the current students for making this stand!

I was always involved in both. I raised a Mohawk grad and have another multi-interest teen in another school who will be participating in sports and school play. While I am not a fan of overextending our youth, this has historically been done and a blend of the arts with sports is a good mix .

It's called multitasking.

I support allowing students to express themselves, challenge themselves and embrace who they are in as many ways possible in order to allow as many facets of their personal diamonds to shine as possible, and to not be placed in boxes ( athlete, music, theater, academics, etc).

Of course students should be encouraged to be well-rounded citizens! If it is too difficult for the administration to administer scheduling perhaps they could be replaced by a robot? Or a computer for a lot less money than the salary there being paid. I know I've only heard one side of the story, but really? If you play a sport you can't also be an actorr. Much like saying if we teach you how to write we're not going to teach you how to do math. If we teach you to read we're not going to teach you how to write because it is too difficult to fit into our schedule. Just one person's opinion

I agree because it just puts willing actors to waste.

Mohawk has a long history of students participating in BOTH sports and the arts. It can be done. It may require individual participation limits or parental willingness to go above and beyond with late pick-ups for a season, but it can be done. Life beyond high school demands the skills of negotiation, prioritization, scheduling and, when necessary, sacrifice. As adults we have to juggle multiple commitments daily, and for many, that skill and the ability to gauge our our personal capacity for activities was developed through our extracurricular activity commitments. The reality may be that some students can't manage to do both, but the choice should be left to the students. I have no doubt that creative solutions can be worked out for any child who wants to try to do it all!

Mohawk has a long history of students participating in BOTH sports and the arts. It can be done. It may require individual participation limits or parental willingness to go above and beyond with late pick-ups for a season, but it can be done. Life beyond high school demands the skills of negotiation, prioritization, scheduling and, when necessary, sacrifice. As adults we have to juggle multiple commitments daily, and for many, that skill and the ability to gauge our our personal capacity for activities was developed through our extracurricular activity commitments. The reality may be that some students can't manage to do both, but the choice should be left to the students. I have no doubt that creative solutions can be worked out for any child who wants to try to do it all!

I was a three sport athlete and the high school was the one who introduced me to the fine arts by allowing me to participate in the school musicals

And you wonder why kids want to school choice. Bravo another great administration

Just wrong

Kids need balance.

While I understand the constraints of scheduling students involved in more than one activity, I am sure it pads a transcript effectively for those schools that want to see community and hard work of said students.

Can't believe we're going into this "era" again. Thought those days long gone ... my son went through it and I can't believe Mohawk is reverting back to this again ... Ludicrous to think about ... that a young person whose capable of doing this would penalized for their capability ... what message does this send ... think someone needs to re-think this decision quickly ... JJ