In-person versus online schooling: Student-athletes weigh in

In this interactive post, learn how West High student-athletes feel sports factor in to the online versus in-person debate, and whether they believe practice conditions are safe.

Alex Carlon, Abby McKeone, Paige Albright, Annie Schwartz, Emma Hall, and Sidney Nash
January 3, 2021

The choice between online, hybrid and fully in-person schooling is one that has weighed heavy on the minds of parents, students and administrators this year. For student-athletes, the additional question of “Will I get to play this season?” has played a role in this thought process, as athletics were suspended during periods of fully-online learning. For student-athletes who did not have their seasons cancelled this year due to school closures, the question of whether schools and coaches are taking adequate safety precautions is also a consideration in whether or not to participate in athletics during this unconventional year. In this WSS investigation, West High student-athletes explain to readers why they value sports, and their answer to the question of “Is practicing worth the risk?”