Program may start in time for fall season.
By: Rebecca Tokarz
MONROE The school board is looking into a proposal that could bring a girls soccer program to Applegarth School in time for the fall season.
A group of girls approached the school board Wednesday about providing the necessary funding to a program at the middle school.
"If we play together at an early age, we’ll be familiar with each other and it’ll be easier to play," seventh-grader Alanna Carr said.
Alanna was one of 10 girls who approached the school board.
The girls read speeches and presented the board with a petition of 100 signatures of girls who are interested in starting a program at the school.
This is the second time in the last four months that middle school students have asked the school board to provide funding for additional athletic programs at the school.
In February, a group of boys presented the board with a PowerPoint presentation and speeches that outlined the reasons the district should rejuvenate the school’s baseball program after a three-year absence from the middle school level. The boys’ presentation included the emotional benefits and team camaraderie that could be formed from having a middle school team together and then have it move onto the high school team.
In March, the board accepted the proposal and offered to provide the funding. Tryouts were held and two weeks later, the baseball team was on the field playing ball. The group finished with a 4-6 record.
Athletics available at Applegarth include wrestling during the fall, two basketball programs during the winter and girls softball in the spring.
The board referred the request to the district’s athletic committee for review and said a decision could be reached by July 23.
The board also charged Superintendent Ralph Ferrie with the task of evaluating the middle school’s athletic program and to see what should and could be offered at the school before reporting back to the school board later this summer.
"Since my arrival here two years ago, I’ve struggled to keep our children on the same playing field as other districts. It has been a challenge because of funds and facilities. We recognize that in many areas that our students do not have the same programs athletically, academically and in the arts as other districts. We’ll make every effort to do that," Dr. Ferrie said.
The girls hope that forming a team-like atmosphere at middle school would benefit the group at high school.
Seventh-grader Nicole Ragucci said she talked over the idea with a bunch of her friends and wants to make the program more than just talk.
"We’ve come together to try and make talk more than just talk. We’re here tonight to make our talk a reality," Nicole said.
She listed several benefits of adding another sport to the middle school.
"Some positives are keeping more kids drug free. By doing a sport, kids will quickly realize the importance of staying healthy. With few sport options, many kids have nothing to do," said Nicole. "It would leave us happy and proud and would give us something to do after we finish our homework."
Caitlin Hoskins, a sixth-grader at Brookside, said she’s got the first-day middle school jitters and thinks being on a team will help her make friends.
"Being a seventh-grader at Applegarth makes me a little nervous having soccer teammates will help me," Caitlin said.
Seventh-grader Ashley Palach said that even though playing in the township recreation program is fun, a middle school team would be different.
"The rec program is fun, but having our own team is different. It’s more of a competition it’s more fun. You get to know all the players," she said.
Parent Joyce Ragucci said she understood that the township had strong travel and recreation programs, but felt having a team at the middle school level would build stronger relationships among the girls.
"Just as the boys came to you in the spring and they and you were wonderful I hope you can help the girls," Ms. Ragucci said. "I don’t believe there is much expense to do this. The kids can practice at the school, there are already fields there. I believe uniforms can be found at the high school."

