Holly Neher, a 5’2” junior at Hollywood Hills High in Miami, Florida, is one of three on the Spartans’ football roster competing to be the team’s starting quarterback. She has been the girls’ flag football team quarterback for two years, and is currently the second-string quarterback following senior Ramon James. Neher had her first tackle football experience on Thursday during their intrasquad scrimmage.
Holly also plays for the Hollywood Hills soccer team as a goalkeeper. As 4.0 student and a member of the NHS, she dreams of studying at Florida State University to become an attorney in criminal law.
Brandon Graham, the Hollywood Hills coach, deemed she was capable as soon as she began training with the team in their off-season earlier this summer. Graham probably won’t choose a starter until Monday, but says that her performance during Thursday’s scrimmage did nothing to diminish her chances. If Holly is named starter, she would become the first high school female starting quarterback in Dade or Broward County, and likely in the state.
Questions:
- How does it make you feel that not only is Holly part of the football team, but she also may be the starting quarterback? Is it empowering, or do you have an alternative opinion?
- Holly and her mother, Paula, believe the risks of Holly playing football are worth it. Do you agree or disagree with their decision?
Go to Newsela for more info on Holly Neher and her performance at the scrimmage on Thursday. (original article written on 08/24/2017)
Replies
Well done overall Maya! I do think you could have commented a few more times however.
I feel like Holly is a very brave girl. I would never think about going out for football and to think that she also may be the starting quarterback, is amazing. I think this is a very empowering story for every single girl. She is making good points that girls can do anything that guys can do and that football doesn't just have to be a guy sport. I agree that her risks are worth it to a certain degree. If the risks tend to get too out of hand, she may end up hurting herself badly. Even if she doesn't end up getting starting quarterback, I still feel like this is a very empowering story.
1. It is pretty amazing since there are mainly males in this sport. I feel like this is a great opportunity to realize that football is not a male only sport. It is even more amazing that she is a starter quarterback.
2. I believe that football is a dangerous sport. As long as she plays safely and has fun, it is worth it; accidents happen. If she lands wrong, she didn't mean to; I'm sure.
I think that Holly is an all star. I wouldn't even have the nerve to try out for the team let alone try to make starting quarterback. I think that this story is empowering to young ladies all over the world not just to the ones she goes to school with. She is making a point that girls can do anything guys can. I agree that the risk is worth it to a certain point. I think that because she is making a point that it is worth it. Even if she doesn't get starting quarterback I think it will all be worth it in the end.
I think it's great that she is a starter on the football team. I agree I mean, she could get very far in life and sometimes you have to take risks.
I think that this is awesome and very empowering. Its amazing that she is doing that well, and it is also amazing that the school is allowing her to compete. I agree that it is worth it. There are risks with every sport and the guys take those risks every day so it shouldn't be different for girls even if it is made out to be.
1. I think it is really empowering that Holly has a good chance to be the starting quarterback for her team. It is even cooler that she will be the first person at her school, and even possibly in the whole state.
2. I think it will be worth it. She could inspire many girls all across the nation, or maybe even the world, to go against the status quo and do things that they want to do.
I think it's great that she's making history and is taking steps to be the first female to be the starting quarterback. I think it is very empowering because by doing what she's doing she is encouraging other girls to take a chance in something that was originally meant for the opposite gender. I do agree with them.
I think it is cool that she is able to do that because she has the ability to do it and her school lets her be in football, for that matter a quarterback, but I don't think just any girl should be on a football team because some girls just aren't cut out for it. I think it is because not very many girls even play football and to be on the team is a big deal, but it also comes with risks and I believe those risks are ok.
I think it's really cool that she's apart of the football team. I think it's even cooler that most people are cool with her playing football as more than just a kicker. It's really empowering because she's maintaining a 4.0 as well. If boys can play contact sports, girls should be able to too. I think if she's taking necessary precautions, I agree with her decision.
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