ST. LOUIS – Frustration is growing among Vashon High School students, parents, and athletes as strict game attendance rules remain in place for a second home game.
Vashon High School parents gathered Friday, upset that only parents, athletes, and coaches are allowed at games. This is the second home game with these restrictions, and families fear it could hurt their students’ chances of being recruited.
“Can you just rethink on it? Just put yourself in our shoes. Especially for a senior. My future is at stake; our future is at stake,” senior basketball player Terron Garrett said.
Parents say they were left without answers.
“We reached out to the superintendent. We reached out to the principal. The principal literally just walked out and didn’t say anything,” Lakeisha Perry said.
When they tried to go inside, they were met with locked doors.
“The safety officer told us we were not allowed inside. They locked the door, and we still have not been able to access the building,” Perry added.
The restrictions were first put in place last week after an incident at another school that Vashon students were not involved in. But after a brawl inside Vashon this week and a security officer being injured, the superintendent says safety is the top priority.
The Vashon Winter Classic, a major fundraiser for the team’s travel expenses, will now be impacted. The district says refunds will be issued, but parents worry about what this means for their athletes’ futures.