Students, decrying budget cuts, rally for after-school programs

By Jean Reid Norman

Monday, March 16, 2009 | 10:47 p.m.

Students at Valley High School Monday called for continued financial support of after-school activities, saying that proposals to cut them would be devastating to their education.

Representatives from one program after another argued against cuts at a rally at Valley High, 2839 S. Burnham Ave., the day before legislators were to debate education funding.

About 500 people turned out for the rally at 4 p.m. on the football field, organized by the advocacy group Nevadans for Quality Education. The Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees will hold a joint meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Carson City to hear testimony on education funding in the capital and via videoconference at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas.

Students involved in activities from sports to theater, writing to ROTC talked to a crowd of students, teachers and administrators about how school activities threatened by funding cuts would affect their schooling.

Aaron Diaz, a freshman basketball player for Valley, called proposed cuts of the freshmen teams or a game from the season devastating moves.

"Many of us perform better academically because of basketball," he said.

Manuel Montez, speaking for Valley's Key Club, recounted how he had no social skills when he began high school and was able to develop them as well as leadership skills through the group.

"Without this organization, I do not believe I would have grown as much or be prepared for the business world," he said.

As television news cameras rolled, sophomore class president Zhan Okuda-Lim, wearing his Army Junior ROTC uniform, told the crowd in the bleachers that legislators need to preserve their future by continuing the variety of programs that keep students interested in school.

"They need not to cut from our future but invest in our future," he said.

He encouraged them to write or e-mail their legislators.

But whether many students put their passion into writing may be another matter.

Susana Ramirez, a sophomore at East Career and Technical Academy, said she did not know about the possible budget cuts until she happened upon the rally after school. She didn't think cutting activities was fair and thought it was a good idea to write her legislator, but wasn't sure whether she would.

James Willett, a January graduate of Valley who is now attending the College of Southern Nevada, said he would sign a petition, but probably would not write.

Still, both thought the rally would make a difference.

"It would help to show how much we care about our school and sports and other activities," said Ramirez, who added she would probably talk to trusted teachers at East Career about her concerns.

Superintendent of Schools Walt Rulffes, who gave the "raise the roof" signal to students as he was introduced, said he was pleased with the turnout and impressed with the students who spoke.

"They represent the strong commitment to the programs outside of the core subjects and talked about how important activities were to staying in school," he said.

Donna Hoffman-Anspach of Nevadans for Quality Education said the rally had the desired effect.

"The students at this school were very spirited. They sent a great message," she said. "I hope every student here writes (their legislator) — or e-mails for sure."

Jean Reid Norman can be reached at 990-2658 or [email protected].