After posting my thoughts on the definition of the well coined term “Raider Pride” earlier other former/current/honorary Raiders are sharing their thoughts as well. The first response comes appropriately enough from my own mother Leone Johnson who has the unique perspective of being the mother to two WHS alums, neither of which actually played a sport at the high school. She is also on the board of Community Investors, a non-profit after school sports and recreation organization here in town. Here is her response, which focuses on that very perspective.
“Raider Pride should not be a spectator sport or reserved for only the star athletes….All Wellesley High Students should feel Raider Pride because they should have ample opportunity to participate in a variety of intramural and club sports. In Wellesley, as in many towns, participation in recreational sports takes a nosedive at age 13/14, just when the stress of school increases by a huge percentage. Sports and recreation is a “no side effects” way of combating stress and making kids healthier and happier, but we don’t do anything as a school system because of huge budget pressures in other areas. Let’s think about bringing back and making cool intramural sports…Play for All….”
