The month of March has been a devastating one for the high school gymnasts around South Dakota as the Sioux Falls School District decides whether or not to let go of the gymnastics program.

As many schools have seen a decline in participants of high school gymnastics, Rapid City was the first to initiate the cut. Within five years, the program has dropped from 13 total participants to seven. Tim Trimble, an owner of a local gymnastics studio believes that the reason for the decline is due to the conflict between the schedules of club gymnastics and the school program, causing them to have to choose one. This has made it difficult to justify the cost of the expensive specialty products used in gymnastics, find locations for practice and fill in coaching positions.

For Sioux Falls, there has been a 50% decrease in participation over the past 10 seasons; 44 girls were involved this year from both middle and high school. The main reason discussed for this potential program cut is because of the annual budget process. A business manager for the district, Todd Vik, believes there will be a 4% budget reduction over the next four years. However, the state Legislature approved a 7% increase in education spending. But will that be enough to hold on to the gymnastics program?

Blair Corcoran, a senior at LHS, has been tumbling her way through the years since she was 11 and is in disagreement with what the school district is proposing.

“When I was in club [gymnastics], it felt more like a competition between each other because everybody wanted to win, and that caused hatred amongst the girls. But in high school gymnastics it is more of a family bonding, working together to succeed towards your goals,” said Corcoran.

If the high school program were to be cut districtwide, this would leave club gymnastics as the only option. Club is more focused on individual skills, setting requirements to perfect all four areas of the sport. However, school programs allow players to focus on a few they want to strengthen. 

Although it is a high school sport, gymnastics also includes girls from middle school on the team. Called “the littles” by the LHS team, fear is growing that they will not be able to pursue the healthy environment that comes with the high school program, leading most to quit a sport they have put hard work and effort into. Students have flourished in the family-like environment, being able to express themselves and having a passion for something they love. Parents are heartbroken to see this opportunity taken away from their children.

A work session for the budget of the school district is on April 5, which means final decisions will be made on July 10. Social media has been the main source for bringing awareness to this possible issue as parents, students and participants around the state of South Dakota have been sharing information on how to save the sport. 

Gymnasts from Sioux Falls invite you to join the meeting on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at IPC to help them save the sport that has brought them confidence, knowledge and friendships they will treasure.