Government Shutdown Threatens DoDEA Students' Extracurricular Futures
The ongoing government shutdown has cast a shadow over extracurricular activities for students at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools worldwide. High school athletes, in particular, are feeling the pinch, with practices cancelled, games postponed, and seasons shortened. Dylan McDonald, a senior soccer co-captain at Fort Campbell High School in Kentucky, fears this may be his last season due to the shutdown.
Dylan, along with co-captains Aiden and Cassie, has been left to organize practices independently, stressing that attendance is voluntary. Their efforts are hindered by the shutdown, which has halted all extracurricular activities for over 67,000 students in Pentagon-operated schools. Dylan's chances of being recruited for college soccer are at risk, as missing the district tournament could be a significant setback.
The shutdown's impact extends beyond sports. Katie Fox's son's homecoming dance in Germany was postponed, and Maribel Jarzabek's daughter Cassie, a cross-country runner, has fewer opportunities to impress college recruiters due to the shortened season and potential cancellation of championships. Parents, like Crystal Noga, are concerned about their children's future prospects. They want the issue resolved promptly, regardless of the political affiliations at play.
The government shutdown is taking a toll on students at DoDEA schools, with high school athletes and other extracurricular participants bearing the brunt. With no clear end in sight, parents and students alike hope for a swift resolution to minimize the long-term effects on their educational and athletic pursuits.
