Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Features

Food Feature: Park Road Soda Shoppe

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In the heart of Park Road Shopping Center, the Park Road Soda Shoppe takes customers back in time. The 1950’s style diner is reminiscent of retro Charlotte. Although the Soda Shoppe opened in 1999, the restaurant captures the 1950’s like a time capsule. The black and white tile, with wall to wall mirrors, and the sit-down bar make the restaurant one of a kind.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Coca-Cola had gained its popularity. Soda was advertised for health and well-being, therefore pharmacies across the United States implemented soda fountains. Decorative countertops with wall-to-wall mirrors became the soda shoppe standard. During the time of the prohibition, Soda Shoppes were crucial alcohol-free locations that targeted both adults and children. With the introduction of Soda, American diner food soon followed and became very popular. During the 1950’s soda shops popularity had reached its peak. For all kinds of people, soda shops were a keen source of entertainment.

Sadly, many of these diners haven’t stood the test of time. Many were forced to shut down with new buildings and restaurants taking their place. Defying the norm, Park Road Soda Shoppe has stayed all these years. The simplistic yet delicious menu has all the classics of American diner food. The food service is quick and efficient. Tables open up quickly due to the pay ticket system. Customers walk in and admire the sleek yet spacious seating area. Faces of all ages are seen; families, elderly, and high school students visit regularly to dine. 

Myers Park senior and employee of Park Road Soda Shoppe Laurie Hannan shared the ins and outs from being behind the counter. As an employee for over two years, Hannan has gotten to know the “regulars.” These people keep coming back because “You can’t find food like this anywhere that’s good, affordable, and close by, as well as the staff too,” Hannan explained. She added that as you work more, the better you know your customers and what they want to order, and that, “When you know familiar faces are coming back every week, business is good.” The busiest day of the week is Saturday, with a line out the door with everyone waiting to find a booth. “The busier, the more stressful,” Hannan stated. “The more people, the more responsibility,” as an employee. For many, a trip to the shopping center ends up with a stop at the Soda Shoppe.

Some special delights include their hand pressed orangeade and lemonade. The soda shop’s dairy is delicious. The ice cream, milk shakes, and floats are a delicacy. The delights are a perfect pair with a hot dog. The Carolina dog is a North Carolina staple with chili, cole slaw, and mustard. Other staples include the burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and the grilled cheese. The Soda Shoppe’s customers love the delicious menu. In connection with the good environment, the good food fills the restaurant on the weekend. 

For most of the 20th century, soda shops were a big part of American culture. The Park Road Soda Shoppe for the past twenty-five years has revived what once was. Located right in the Myers Park area, it is easy to take a break and grab lunch at the Soda Shoppe. 

Mustang Mothers

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This year, on Sunday, May 12, we will take a day to celebrate the mothers in our lives. Whether by blood or circumstance, the women we call mothers shape our morals and nurture us into the people we become. Similarly, the hours we spend in school with our teachers shape our future success and teach us valuable life lessons. The Hoofprint staff was lucky enough to sit down with three Myers Park teachers who are mothers or grandmothers themselves to gain some insight into the various aspects and overlaps of motherhood and education. 

Mrs. Harris, mother to two girls (five and seven years old) teaches world history. Although she generally teaches seniors she believes that her students are more similar to her young daughters than one might think. Harris stated,  “My students might have different challenges than I face with my girls but the same patience and understanding is needed at the end of the day.” She believes, “Keeping patience with my students and remembering that they’re just kids who are learning how to go through life exactly how my little ones are” is a major overlap between her work and home life. Mrs. Hamm, the school’s security monitor, is the mother to two sons and ten grandchildren aged 2-22. While not a teacher, she believes that, “guiding children, directly or indirectly” is a characteristic of both education and motherhood. Ms. Blackert, an IB math teacher, has a sophomore and a senior here at the park herself. She agreed with Hamm, explaining, “While we aren’t our students’ parents, we see them for a large portion of the day so it’s our responsibility to help them learn some of the things they need to develop as they grow.” Expanding on that, Blackert believes it’s a big responsibility of both mothers and teachers to care for the health of student’s brains. She says, “Especially since COVID, a lot more students struggle with their mental health and as a parent, I want to protect my children and help them, and I try to do the same with my students in the classroom.”

Mothers are full of life experience and wisdom that goes way beyond their children’s years. Surprisingly enough, they had to learn it from somewhere too. These teachers were each guided through life by their mothers and various other strong female figures, the advice which they carry into their motherhood as well as the classroom. Harris specifically shouted out Mrs. Allison, an English teacher at the Park, whom she’s known for the past 20 years. Harris said, “I watched her kids grow up and she’s watched my kids grow so I’ve always gone to her for advice. She always says that [childhood] goes by so fast, they’re only going to need you and want you for a few more years until they just want to see their friends or not need you anymore so you need to cherish every moment now.” Blackert was advised not to expect perfection out of anyone, especially yourself. She expressed, “All we can do is our best. We know that we’re making decisions and doing things that we think at the time we think are the right thing to do and then we learn that maybe it wasn’t working or whatever but we just learn from it and not punish ourselves.” Alternatively, Hamm believes the one thing that is perfection is showing compassion. In her closing statement, she said “ Always let your children know that you love them.  Be patient and kind as they learn and grow.”

This Mother’s Day, and the rest, make sure to show the mothers in your life how much you appreciate them. We owe so much (if not our whole lives) to them so take some time to give back!

Thank You, Coach

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It’s the end of an era. Men’s Basketball Coach Scott Taylor is leaving Myers Park and taking a new position at Ambassador Christian School. Taylor is one of the most successful coaches in the history of Myers Park, piecing together one of the greatest runs of any team in Myers Park history. Coach Taylor created and led many teams, filled to the brim with outstanding talent, to multiple deep playoff runs and the schools first ever 4A State Championship. He is also an outstanding part of our school community, appreciated by everyone for his hard work and dedication to developing the program. His efforts led to the team consistently being ranked as one of the best public schools in the country and elevated the program’s attention significantly on a national scale. Coach Taylor’s impact will be felt and remembered for years to come because of his hard work and dedication.

Coach Taylor had a record win percentage of 70% at Myers Park going 145-63 over his eight years at MPHS. He was also 16-6 in the playoffs, winning the state championship once and gathering four elite eight appearances. In his tenure, he had seven straight winning seasons each with a playoff appearance. Taylor led the Mustangs to two SoMeck 4A conference titles and won the conference tournament twice His teams were often some of the best in the state, if not in the country with the team having two top twenty-five finishes in the MaxPreps national rankings. The team also competed and won multiple tournaments during his career, most recently winning the John Wall Invitational for the first time this past winter.

While Coach Taylor was successful in terms of team performance, he also was an excellent developer of talent. His teams were constantly successful, with him coaching many outstanding players. Over the course of his career, he coached 12 College players with five of them going to play in Division 1. He coached many top prospects including Sir Mohammed, Bishop Boswell, Elijah Strong, and Sadiq White. Coach Taylor also coached Duwe Farris and Drake Maye who both went on to play at North Carolina in Basketball and Football respectively. Maye was recently drafted by the New England Patriots. Even though many of these great players never got to play together, they were all unified by Coach Taylor’s culture of #FamilyHood, with players like Maye and Farris sending messages to the team from college as a way to help encourage and support them in their playoff runs.

Coach Taylor will become the Head Coach and Dean of Students at Ambassador Christian Academy, which is a private school that will be opening its doors for the first time this fall. The team is focused on playing a competitive regional schedule with multiple tournaments already scheduled for the team with more to be announced. Coach Taylor will look to continue to provide college-level development in collaboration with the Joe Gibbs Human Performance Institute for cutting-edge sports performance training. The team also looks to become a premiere destination for the development of college coaches. Assistant Coach Nick Jones will also be going to Ambassador to coach under Taylor.

Coach Taylor will be missed next year here at the Park as he leaves behind his legacy of success. He was a staple of the Men’s Basketball Program for eight years and had an expansive era of success for the Mustangs, guiding us to our first State Championship in 2023. Coach Taylor was one of the greatest to do it at Myers Park and will be missed greatly for all that he has done for our school and program. His legacy will always be about how he did so much for this school and how he was the first to win our school a state title. We wish Coach Taylor the best of luck and congratulations for all of his hard work and accomplishments.

A Look Inside AP Seminar with Ms. Guillemette

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Photo contributed by Emma Dowdeswell

AP Seminar is a foundational course that aims to equip students with the power to analyze,  and evaluate information with accuracy and precision to craft to communicate

evidence-based arguments. This class aims to teach cooperation, group work, communication, and deadlines through hands-on hands-on. It’s not your regular AP class, it requires both students and teachers to open their minds and explore similarities and differences within groups. I  asked  current AP Seminar teacher, Ms. Guillemette, the following questions to get a better understanding of the class. 

-What made you decide to be the next AP seminar teacher?

I was approached by Mrs. Armstrong, who asked me if I was interested in teaching the course when the previous teacher was leaving Myers Park. I thought it would be a fun course to teach, and would also be a great challenge for me.

– What’s one thing you’ve noticed students improve on in the seminars?

One thing I think that students have improved on the most is developing arguments and supporting them with evidence. Parallel to that is also a big improvement in being able to analyze and evaluate other people’s arguments and to really think critically about the ideas they are presented with. Being able to question and objectively engage with arguments is a really important skill to have as you go into the real world, because you will be confronted with lots of information, opinions, and rhetoric, and being able to sift through that and really identify what is relevant and credible is so important for deciding what to believe.

– What differences do you notice when teaching English 2 and Seminar? Any similarities?

The biggest difference I see is that in English II, the emphasis is on developing writing style and structure. In AP Seminar, writing is less about having an engaging style, but in developing clear and sound arguments. There is also an expectation in AP Seminar to conduct research at a very high level of academic scholarship, and to really synthesize information from a variety of sources as opposed to focusing on individual pieces of literature.

– What’s one thing AP students need to work on?

I think the biggest skill that AP Students need to work on is flexible thinking, going beyond superficial understandings, and being able to see the connective threads between ideas and subjects. AP Seminar is not a course that requires you to regurgitate factual information, but is really designed to develop students’ ability to think critically, to develop original ideas, and to articulate the connections between ideas. This is very different from the skills they might be practicing in other AP classes that just require them to know a set of information. I think engaging more with different points of view, learning about different varying topics, and overall being a curious and creative person are qualities that really help students in AP Seminar.

-What one thing would you change about the AP seminar?

One thing I am a bit critical of in AP Seminar are the rubrics, which I feel are not always concrete or clear about what the goals of the task are. It takes a lot of unpacking together with students to really get to the heart of what AP Seminar is asking for and what that actually looks like. If students don’t have a teacher who is able to clearly articulate what the concrete goals are for skills and knowledge, they might not be as successful, which is a weakness in the course, I believe.

Through Ms. Guillmettes perspective, we can see that AP seminar has  intricate and complex material that students don’t usually get to learn in a regular English and humanities class. Many of the AP classes teach to a test, but AP seminar equips students with the ability to work with others and build the foundation for successful leadership and communication skills. 

Moosehead Grill

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Photo contributed by Hank Thrasher

If you ever ask someone from the Myers Park area, “Where are the best wings in town??”, many will say Moosehead Grill. Montford Road is lined up with many restaurants and bars such as Angry Ale’s, Brazzwells, Park Lanes, The Roasting Company, and Moosehead. Moosehead stands out among the others. The unique restaurant design is an homage to the Pizza Hut that was leased in the same spot during the 90s. Each night loads of people find their way into Moosehead Grill to watch games, jam to music, or just the flavorful and diverse menu that features everything from wings to the quesadillas.

The Origin of the Moosehead

On the inside of the restaurant on the wall is a large taxidermied moose head. Owner Chris  Neilson explains the origin of the taxidermied moose, Nielsen stated, “The moose came from a Passamaquoddy Indian that hunted with my father in the Moosehead Lake region in Maine”, His father specifically got the moose mounted to be the restaurant staple. 

The Beginnings 

“We maxed out nine credit cards and had five friends invest to finance opening,” said owner Chris Neilson. Nielsen’s ambitious yet intelligent goal of opening a restaurant in Charlotte was driven by the fact that “in the 90s, there was nowhere to eat after 10 PM”. Partner Donnie Anderson and Neilson met a man named Ken Mullins, a restaurant supply store owner with, “a handshake, no contract” deal and, Moosehead got the equipment ready to start serving customers and they finally opened in 1996. Moosehead’s unique serving of fresh food till 2 AM. Their business hasn’t looked back with 28 years of success. Donnie and Chris took a high-risk chance and it paid off as they created the perfect bar & grill in the Myers Park area. 

Support a Small Business

Moosehead is a local staple. There’s nothing like it. When supporting small businesses, customers play an important role in boosting the local economy. Nielson stated, “I am able to create a sense of community and give back to our community.” He adds, “It takes years and is still a work in progress but we have built a team that works together to problem solve and continue to grow.” From the ground up, Moosehead is a true reflection of hard work and dedication to serve the community; as a result, Moosehead has grown into a business that is worth much more than a price tag.

Food Staples

13 unique wing flavors, potato skins, nachos, quesadillas, comfort food, and many more filling sides are the core of the menu. They also offer a diverse spread of wings, the household staple is The Uncle Donnie’s Famous Blackened Wings- given the name to pay homage to the original partner Donnie Anderson. The Bee Sting wings have the unique taste of honey and habanero. Similar to the Bee Stings, the Killer Bees have more heat with a hint of mango. The PB & J’s are the most interesting wing with; thai spices, peanut butter, and apple jelly. The original hot Buffalo offers a spicy kick as well as the Poison Poison wings which are made with Carolina Reaper peppers. Moosehead is the dream for the avid chicken wing enthusiast.

Moosehead’s “watering hole” for adults provides 17 draft beers and 10 different bottles. Moosehead supports local breweries by selling local IPAS like NODA’s Jam Session and Olde Meck Copper. Customers enjoy the late nights and the wide offering of drinks. 

Nielsen stated, “It’s the quality of the food, the environment we have created, and good staff that keeps customers coming back.” Charlotte has so much to offer, but no restaurant and bar compare to the Culture Chris Neilson and Donnie Anderson started back in 1996. Moosehead Grill serves the heart of the Myers Park Community. Nothing can beat the Moose!

A Junior’s View Into Junior Firefighting

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Have you ever wanted to make a bigger impact in your community? Wanted to become a first responder or see if you have what it takes? For young people interested in firefighting—the Junior Firefighters Explorers Program is a perfect fit for you. Designed for youth aged 14 to 20, this program goes beyond what one could learn in a classroom. It offers one-of-a-kind experiences and an opportunity to view the rewarding yet challenging world of firefighting. 

Brevan Outlaw, a junior at Myers Park, said this about what he took away from his time in the program, “I learned that it is never a just “me” at the fire department, it’s always a “us” because it’s a team- a family and something that you’ll never forget.” This program is not only teaching essential skills to continue a career in firefighting, but it also allows for a sense of leadership and service nationally. It was established to educate the next generation of aspiring first responders and show the many aspects of firefighting. This consists of practical training exercises, learning about fire safety protocols, and gaining awareness of the dedication required to be a firefighter. 

Joining this program gives the chance to become a part of a larger community, the National Junior Firefighter Program, which falls under the National Volunteer Fire Council. After being launched in 2007, this program was made to help youth become members of the emergency services. Also, to provide support to fire departments anywhere in the nation. This program is made for youth in search of something new, or to continue their passion for firefighting just like Outlaw who commented, “I joined the fire explorers program because I wanted to be a firefighter since I was a kid; It’s always been my dream to help people,” He also added, “Even if you want to do something else in life, not even be a firefighter, go get a job that makes you feel like it’s not a job. Be happy about being able to go to work!” 

Becoming a part of the National Junior Firefighter Program can help in connecting with a community and appreciate all that firefighters do for us. Even if firefighting may not be for you, the National Volunteer Fire Council offers EMS and rescue branches. To gain knowledge in any of these fields is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many high schoolers, such as Brevan Outlaw, take advantage of. The Junior Firefighters Explorers Program in Charlotte is more than just a training ground for potential firefighters; it’s an experience that can mold the character and aspirations of young individuals looking to help in their community. Through a combination of education, hands-on training, and mentorship, this program plays a pivotal role in shaping our local future first responders. If you are interested in this program and want to learn more, check out the National Volunteer Fire Council homepage! This is an unmatched opportunity that allows aspiring young firefighters to achieve their dreams of becoming first responders.

Meet The New SGA Presidents: Parker and Olivia

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Photo contributed by Reid Heaton

Just recently, Myers Park students gathered outside the doors of the wellness center in anticipation of participating in the yearly Student Government Association elections. Students walk in the doors and are greeted with a smile and then head to a ballot box to cast their votes before walking out with a piece of candy and a classic “I voted” sticker. In one particular race, two members of the junior class would be selected to lead SGA and represent students for the 24-25 school year as Co-Presidents. This year the winners of the race for student body co-presidents are Parker Scrivener and Olivia Crowe. 

Scrivener and Crowe are both very familiar with MPHS since the first time they stepped on campus as freshmen, and over their time they have made a major impact on the MPHS community. Crowe is the Vice President of The Clothes For Change Club, founder of Bagels For a Better Tomorrow, and plays for the field hockey team, and her running mate, Scrivener, plays for both the football and rugby team, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is involved in several clubs. “I try to incorporate different parts of my school in my life,” Scrivener said. The future leaders embody the phrase “Make The Park Your Own ”, They have both been involved in different communities throughout MPHS which has allowed them to have served as key members of SGA, “Personally I love working with other people whether it’s through a leadership position or just working in groups of people and SGA it’s something I wanted to do my whole high school career.” Scrivener said, both of the future presidents have always had their eyes set on SGA, and have had a passion for it. This passion shines through in their goals for the 2024-25 school year, “We want to make it (MP) a happy environment, just happy things throughout the day.” Crowe said. The two want to create and reinforce a positive culture at MPHS and make it a better place for students on a daily basis. One of the most important parts of being a school president is the fact that you have to step up and act in the interest of not just one group or grade but all students in the school. This in itself is a very daunting task, but Crowe and Scrivener are up for the challenge with a plan on how to serve everyone in the MPHS community, “I know a lot of people in different grades and work with people in different grades through my classes, sports, honors society, clubs or just meeting people. I am able to get a grasp on how each grade feels, and I can reflect that into the work we do,” Scrivener said. While Scrivener and Crowe know a lot of people across the school but if you dont know them, they have a message for you,“Olivia and I are two very approachable people, we are very easy going, very nice anyone can come and spark a conversation and we would entertain it. Anyone can come up and provide feedback, ideas, anything like that and we will take that into full consideration.” Said Scrivener. 

Being the school president is a major role. The job is not an easy one as it requires commitment, dedication, and hard work to represent all aspects of the park. While the role is a big one, Olivia and Parker are ready to step up and be the voices for the student body.

Do it Like Duwe

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Photo contributed by UNC Athletics

Meet Duwe Farris, a Myers Park alum and current member of the UNC-Chapel Hill men’s basketball team. After graduating from Myers Park in 2019, Farris took his talents to the next level at UNC, following suit of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In his first year, he tried out for the JV men’s team as a regular student and played for the lower team in his first year. Then, Farris walked onto the varsity team in his sophomore year playing for Coach Roy Williams and is now enjoying his last year at Carolina as a fifth-year senior. 

However, before Carolina Blue, Farris proudly wore Kelly Green in the Myers Park gym. He was the MP men’s varsity forward, beginning his sophomore year and playing through his senior year. At Myers Park, Farris took full advantage of his opportunities, such as taking 12 AP classes and being a student-athlete. “I loved Myers Park so much. It helped me grow in so many different ways, academically and athletically,” Farris reminisced. 

In Farris’s senior year, the team was a 12th seed in the state playoffs but had a spectacular run, defeating Porter Ridge, Northwest Guilford, and Davie. They made it to the Elite 8 before a close defeat against RJ Reynolds. “That was awesome,” Farris said, “and it was with Caleb McReed, who is one of my favorite teammates ever, and Drake Maye, just a lot of really good guys.”

Now at UNC, Farris is part of a stacked roster with stars like Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and Cormac Ryan. Being on one of the top ten teams in the NCAA, pressure is sure to weigh on the players. Over the years, Farris has learned how to deal with it and prioritize his team, “I want to be the best I can be and help in any way I can.” From his first year onward, he has managed the nerves of competing against his teammates in practice and the time management that comes with spending an average of seven hours in practice daily. 

Carolina fans named Farris and two other teammates, Rob Landry and Creighton Lebo, the “Biscuit Boys,” rooted from the Chapel Hill Bojangles 2-for-1 sausage biscuit deal if the Tar Heels score over 100 points in a game. Although Farris, Lebo, and Landry may not be a part of the starting five, they contribute to Carolinian’s love for Bojangles when they are subbed in to score the fans their biscuits, and the crowd adores them for it.

If you’re watching any UNC game, chances are you’ve seen Farris bring his contagious energy to the court. He constantly excites the team and crowd, regardless of the score, opponent, or whether they are away or in the Dean Dome. “With walking on, I knew I wasn’t going to be the guy hitting the game-winning shot. So, I thought really hard about what I could bring to help the team, and I realized I could bring energy, positivity, and encouragement and just be a good teammate. That’s my goal, every day,” Farris explains, and he does just that. His liveliness is seen through his cheers on the side and being the first to fistbump his teammates during water breaks. 

During his time as a Tar Heel, Farris has had his fair share of memories to last a lifetime. In his second year playing for “the big team,” UNC made it to the Final Four after defeating Duke in Coach K’s last game at Cameron Indoor. “That year is just so iconic… That was such an amazing, amazing run. That month was probably the best month of my life. It was so crazy but so great because we were in the Final Four.” 

Farris has achieved his dreams, playing in Carolina Blue under the Dean Dome. Looking back on what got him there, he thanks Myers Park, “I don’t think I am where I am today without Myers Park. I really love everything about it.” When watching March Madness, Mustangs can be proud to see our very own Duwe Farris in number 34. 

MP Moxie

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Myers Park is home to many clubs, allowing anyone to make the Park their own. Myers Park juniors Holly Carrey and Hayley Brownlee did just that by forming the Moxie club, which focuses on women’s history, rights, and issues. The club is new to the park, being formed a year ago, but is still  strong this year with lots of student support. The club meetings occur on Monday in Madame Gunn’s room, SC14, and feature topics important to women, and allows members an opportunity to discuss with one another, and educate themselves on the issues. 

Club meetings in March, which is Women’s History Month, focused on the importance of the month highlighting women’s struggles and their history. When asked about the importance of Women’s History Month, Carrey and Brownlee responded, “We believe that women’s history month is important because it gives women a platform to advocate for equality, for progression, and underprivileged groups so that we can have a better society. Not only that but it educates people about women’s accomplishments and inventions throughout history that are typically overlooked or stolen which especially contributes to minorities.”  

The club welcomes everyone to learn about these issues, offering “ a safe space for all students at Myers Park and an educational environment which influences others to learn about new topics and learn how to support movements regarding women. At every club meeting, we present a slideshow on a certain issue and explain it to all of the participants in the club. After the presentation, we have an open discussion where club members have the opportunity to share their personal experiences and discuss what they learned. We include everyone and hear every opinion regardless if we agree or disagree leading to an open conversation,” states Brownlee and Carrey. 

When asked why everyone should learn about women’s struggles, they responded, “Everyone should be aware of women’s issues because women’s issues are human. Moxie does not only cover women’s issues, it covers all of feminism, which strives for equality for all, no matter the gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity.  We must be aware of the struggles women face on a day-to-day basis, from the banning of abortions, necessary medical care, the wage gap, the Pink Tax, and incapacitating periods due to things like PCOS and endometriosis. The more awareness we have of the issues that women face, the more we can do about it- we have to come together to create a change.” The club motivates everyone to learn about women’s struggles, history, and more through “ topics that are important to them and their real-life struggles and experiences. For example, we covered how to deal with harassment, in the workplace, school, or any other potential situation. We like to use current issues to help get our members involved and educated about the current day and have open conversations about it. A large number of our members use Moxie as a safe space to speak about their experiences with the topic of the day or talk about something that they might need advice on from other like-minded people. Having a personal struggle about being a woman be heard by other women makes people feel seen and heard, and it makes them motivated to learn about the struggles of others so that they can be safe and included too.”

Learning about women’s struggles and history is always important, and MP Moxie is a great space and opportunity for anyone interested to learn more to come.  Throughout history, women have faced challenges and oppression, but the club offers for anyone to learn about multiple aspects of women’s lives, while also celebrating what it means to be a woman.  Anyone can have moxie, not just women, so go check it out and learn more about something new!

Women in Sports

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Women’s sports have dramatically changed over the years, with a remarkable increase in professional organizations and spectator viewership. Before 1972, there were few women participating/showing interest in sports. Women’s sports were nearly nonexistent during that time period, given they were mainly seen as house cleaners and child bearers. This stigma affected the opportunity for women’s sports to gain enough traction to succeed.  

On January 23rd, 1972, however, Title IX was passed to ensure equal access to any program that receives federal financial assistance, including sports. Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Before Title IX, 1/27 women played sports. In 2016 that proportion changed to 2/5. The Women’s Sports Foundation’s first president, Donna de Varona, tributes the effect of Title IX on women’s sports today, saying,  “Since 1972, thanks to increased funding and institutional opportunities, there has been a 545% increase in the percentage of women playing college sports and a 990% increase in the percentage of women playing high school sports.”

Mrs. Goudes, a social studies teacher, dive, and swim coach here at Myers Park, shared her experience being a female athlete during the start of Title IX. Goudes was a swimmer and zoned for West Charlotte High School. Since West Charlotte didn’t have a swim team and Title IX existed, CMS had two choices: either start a team at West Charlotte for Goudes or allow her to go to Myers Park and swim there. CMS chose the second option, allowing her to attend Myers Park. She spoke about her experience as a female athlete and how the experience has changed since she attended. She states that today it’s “much more acceptable to be a female athlete.” In describing herself as a tomboy then, she says she was “personally chastised” and “called a male” in high school. Goudes adds, “In the ’70s and early 80’s it wasn’t really as accepted to be a female athlete. That has totally changed. And changed for the better. You want to be an athlete? Be an athlete. It is more accepting, whichever you want to do. It is actually quite liberating”.

Emma Price, a senior and varsity soccer player here at Myers Park, also shared her experience as a female athlete.  During Price’s freshman-sophomore years, she played for the JV women’s soccer team, and during her junior-senior years, she played for the varsity women’s soccer team. She says, “I love being in this program with so many incredible people/players and they all push me to be better on and off the field. Everyone is so supportive and always wants you to be the best you can be.” Price says, however, that the team does not receive a lot of MP support, and “one struggle that I would think of would be the least amount of support that we get … we can barely get many people to come to our games even after we won states in 2021. People will sometimes come for playoff games but not all the time, and rarely ever show up for the conference games we have every week. I think people just don’t pay attention to women’s soccer, which is frustrating because we have won a state championship. And yes, we lost 13 seniors after that year, but we still are good and are competitive throughout the playoffs each season.”

Myers Park High School has a variety of hard-working women’s teams, whether it be our women’s basketball team that made it to the playoffs this year, our women’s soccer team that is at the beginning of their season, our women on the swim team holding the state title, our softball team also beginning their season and so many more.