As the tennis coach at Bowling Green High School, I am writing to urge our community to vote YES on the five-year operating levy this May. The stakes couldn’t be higher—without this funding, our district faces devastating cuts to extracurricular activities that shape our students’ futures.
Tennis and other activities aren’t just games or hobbies—they’re powerful classrooms where students develop essential life skills. During my tenure as coach, I’ve witnessed students transform into confident leaders who master organization, time management, resilience, and teamwork. Many of my former players have gone on to become successful lawyers, surgeons, musicians, and professors, all crediting their athletic experiences as foundational to their achievements.
The numbers tell a compelling story: last year alone, over 70 student athletes participated in our tennis program. These students didn’t just improve their own lives—they paid it forward. Twenty of our high school players volunteered their time to teach tennis to more than 70 elementary-aged children in our community clinics, creating a great cycle of mentorship and community connection.
What happens on our courts can’t be replicated in traditional classrooms. Where else do students learn to face adversity with grace, celebrate others’ successes, or push through physical and mental barriers? These experiences build the character and grit our children need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
The proposed levy is about investing in proven programs that develop well-rounded citizens. When we support extracurricular activities, we’re supporting the development of future community leaders, professionals, and neighbors who will enrich our community for decades to come.
I’ve seen firsthand how athletics, music, the arts, and academic competitions like Quiz Bowl transform students’ educational experiences and set them on paths to success. On behalf of every student whose life has been or will be changed by these programs, I implore you: vote YES this May for the BG Schools five-year operating levy. Our students are counting on us.
Andy Drumm
BGHS Girls & Boys Tennis Coach
