In the present economy, stories like the Newton High School gymnastics team’s fight for survival are only going to increase.
The team was asked to raise $11,000 by July 1 to be able to remain. That deadline was extended to July 15 with 25 percent of the amount to be raised due by that time ($2,750). The rest must be pledged by that time and is due by Oct. 1.
With the Newton USD 373 facing budget shortfalls of $1.3 million, the Railer activities department was asked to shoulder a $50,000 reduction.
The gymnastics team had several things going against it when the cuts were first announced. On the varsity level, it is the sport with the fewest number of sponsoring schools (13). Only high school ice hockey has fewer schools sponsoring in Kansas (two), and that sport is competed on the club level.
The other strike against gymnastics is, outside of Newton and Emporia, all of the other sponsoring schools are in the Lawrence or Johnson County areas. The Hutchinson district recently eliminated its program, further isolating Newton.
Under Kansas State High School Activities Association guidelines, a sport can receive state sanctioning as long as nine schools continue to offer it.
Finding qualified judges has proved difficult in recent years as that number has declined.
The biggest factor in Newton’s favor, and the biggest reason why it should be able to continue, is the sports’ history and tradition.
Gymnastics was one of the first sports offered for girls at the high school. Newton’s team made numerous state appearances, winning the state title twice — back-to-back in the winter of 1976 and again in the fall of 1976 (the sport was transitioned from winter to fall that year).
Gymnastics participation at Newton has remained strong and steady the past few years. While Newton has been one of the smallest schools in the state to offer the sport, it has had one of the larger squads.
Newton was sixth at state last season with no graduating seniors from that team. The Railers are scheduled to host the state meet this year, something the school has done five times since 1974.
The amount the Railer gymnasts must raise comes to about $1,100 per participant.
Let us hope the community can support this endeavor and keep the sport going at Newton. To donate, checks can be made out to NHS Gymnastics, c/o Sue Ann Jantz, P.O. Box 725, Newton, KS 67114. Tax-deductible donations also can be made through the Newton Booster Club.
At the same time, if the current economy does not improve, losing the gymnastics team will be the tip of the iceberg. It will take community support and business support. It will take increases in paid attendance to NHS events. It will take increased monetary support from both individuals and groups.
The old cliché goes extra-curricular activities are an important part of the educational process, but for the most part, the cliché has proven true.
— The Kansan editorial board
