As preparations begin for Middletown High Schools’ August trip to the cultured country of Denmark, controversy stirs amongst possible visitors and their parents. With the trip scheduled to take off the same week as fall sport tryouts, many are wondering how they can successfully participate in both activities.

After being visited and informed of the incredible sights, scenery, and attractions by the Danes last semester, many concluded that an opportunity such as this should not be passed up.  As requests and questions began to fill the inboxes of teachers and chaperones, the dispute of when the trip would be won the popularity contest. After being informed the trip is currently scheduled for Aug. 13-22, several students were reluctant to fill in the sign-up sheet.

“I believe this is an incredible opportunity, but it interferes with tryouts, which is quite unfortunate,” said Middletown sophomore Tara Shaffer.

Parents of potential participants share the same concern.

“With preparation overtaking all of her time, I know how much she wants to be on the team,” said the parent of a Middletown junior. “I think that this trip would be a really great opportunity.”

Fall sports at Middletown are, to say the least, a big deal. Football players in robust, plastic padding, cross country runners in fresh, clean running shoes, volleyball girls in fitted spandex, soccer stars in their crisp, new jerseys, and field hockey participants carrying their sticks with honor, all come out to show their school spirit and see if they are good enough to wear the school’s colors while serving on the front lines of high school combat.

Every athlete dreams of obtaining a position on the team they desire, practicing all summer, preparing mentally and physicals for the rigorous week of tryouts that awaits them. With such a tough decision on their hands, students are forced to choose between experience and domination.

“I practice and condition all summer so that I can make the varsity soccer team, and to find that the trip is the same week creates a dilemma,” said Shaffer.

 Although tryout dates are already scratched into calendar squares, it is said that participation of this trip will not prevent you from participating in the sport you are craving.

“Because it is a school trip, you should not be penalized,” said Linda Gross, literary specialist at Middletown High School.

With rescheduling the trip on the minds of coordinators, poor timing has clearly played a roll.  Cancelation is clearly not an option that anybody would agree with as new dates for the trip pepper calendars. With staff working their hardest to meet everybody’s needs, it is clear that what is best for students is their first priority.

“Let’s just say, we’ve met a few obstacles along the way. Things have a way of working themselves out,” said Gross. Not wanting to send mixed signals to students, staff, and parents, Gross makes it clear that necessary actions will be taken. With concern and understanding on the minds of coordinators, it is certain that things will have a way of working themselves out.