A JMU student reached out to our news editor, Stephanie Tipple, about her recent article regarding the increase in fees for the Stonewall Park Swim team.
Dear Ms. Stephanie Tipple,
After reading your article about the increase in hourly fees for a local swim team I found it interesting and enjoyed the fact that you interviewed the team’s Board President instead of the local pool owner. Personally I believe that you gave us a different perspective on a subject between a local swim team and a local pool owner, the perspective you gave us gives the reader an opportunity to connect with the swim team and understand the impact of raising hourly prices could have on kids becoming more involved with swimming at Stonewall Park.
During my sociology class we have been discussing how sometimes the media gives public lenses or perspectives on how to view issues and while reading the title I expected it to revolve on the local pool instead of the team’s Board President. This article not only informs us of why the fee is increasing but it also informs us how it will affect the swim team and community as a whole. While reading this article I felt like it was easier to relate to the swim team and how raising the price by $5 could have such an impact on the future of kids who want to try swimming but the limitations a raise in fee could have even if its only $5.
I really enjoyed this article and how it was written because I was also an athlete at Hylton High School so I can connect and understand how much of an impact raises in certain sports could change the popularity of the sport. And personally I know that most of a team’s revenue comes from concessions and tickets of matches or games so having it is interesting to see how this can effect the swim team at Stonewall Park in the future.
Sincerely,
Monica Cardozo
*Editors Note: This letter was received this morning, March 4.
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