North Cook News

Karen Powers, a local resident, expressed concerns about student safety and fairness at a recent school board meeting. Her comments were in response to the inclusion of a transgender athlete on Conant High School's girls volleyball team, as reported by Off the Press on X.

"I'm speaking tonight to support the young women of the Conant girls volleyball team and their families," said Powers, Parent. "After hearing the news that a boy is being allowed to compete on their team, I'm disgusted by the way this district has dismissed the safety of these young girls, as well as the safety of the young girls on the opposing teams that they will be playing. I am disgusted that the district is robbing these young women of athletic opportunities, not only at the high school level, but potential opportunities to compete at the collegiate level. The district is in direct violation of a federal executive order and risks losing their federal funding."

At the meeting, Powers said, "The boy in question is six four and has zero volleyball experience, yet somehow managed to make the team. A long-time beloved coach of the girls volleyball team quit. And if she is here or watching, I have the utmost respect for you standing firm on your morals and values." She addressed the board members directly, asking whether they would want their daughters to compete against a boy of that height or share locker room facilities with him.

Powers further questioned why policies regarding sex-based sports divisions are changing. "Boys are inherently stronger than girls. That is a fact," she said. Powers challenged the board members to explain why boys' and girls' sports exist separately if this statement were untrue. She also questioned whether fear of legal action was influencing policy changes: "Is it fear of a lawsuit from a 6'4" boy in his family?"

Her statement concluded with concerns about when female students in District 211 (D211) would feel safe and recognized. This discussion occurs amid ongoing national debates over transgender participation in school athletics programs across various states.