Getting some air ... Students Matt B. and Ted W. kickflip as faculty advisor Willy Williamson supervises and learns more about the sport.
After Much Discussion and Convincing from the Students, FFS Has Decided to Allow Skateboarding, but with Certain Stipulations
By Evan H.
It is a common notion that skateboarders are anti-authoritarian. This negative connotation hinders them as well as the sport. Many people even refuse to acknowledge skateboarding as an official sport, even though the number of participants has greatly increased in the past few years.
On April 8, Family Foundation School family leaders met for their monthly meeting to discuss the topic of skateboarding for a second time. They resolved to allow skateboarding so long as the students meet the “skating requirements.”
Students need to demonstrate the spirit of excellence, both academically and behaviorally and uphold the skating requirements for new skaters in the program.
According to FFS President Mike Argiros, the family leaders came to the decision to allow skateboarding because, “[FFS] has always been open to try and find creative ways to have fun while still upholding principles.”
He went on to say, “People have different attractions and if skateboarding is one of them, then I am all for that as long as they can continue to be responsible and follow the skating requirements.
Behind The Scenes
Since 1999, FFS family leaders have met monthly to discuss issues and create ways to improve the school. On Thursday, March 11, for the first time in FFS history, students were invited to the meeting to explain the logistics and details of how skateboarding would be a success at FFS.
After their presentation, Dave M., Ted W., and Will H., who were accompanied by faculty advisor Willie Williamson, listened to the concerns that the family leaders had about skateboarding. The concerns centered on the students’ maturity-level and their ability to handle the “old image” temptation that many of them gave into in the past. “It can be deduced from our previous experience that skateboarding, unlike soccer, focuses greatly on self-defined expression,” said Ted. “My goal is to disassociate the negativity from the individual and make skateboarding positive.”
The family leaders gave the three students a month to demonstrate their maturity level to the school. They passed the test and, accordingly, for the first time in Family School history, skateboarding will not only be allowed but encouraged.
“I look forward to learning more about skateboarding and working with the students to make this program successful so it can benefit kids in the future,” said Williamson.
9th Annual Family Foundation School Awards Banquet
