Athletes take a stand by kneeling down

Players inspired by professional athletes

Frustrated and teary-eyed after taking a knee during the national anthem at the girls’ soccer game Monday night, senior foreign exchange student and player Rosa Sigrunardottir said she felt this protest was necessary.

“Coming to America from Iceland and seeing all of the kids here — it’s hard. Everyone should be equal. We’re all just people trying to get through life,” Sigrunardottir said. “Nobody should feel not welcome in this world. Somebody needs to step up and do something.”

Seniors Malaika Bigirindavyi, Olivia Massie and Rosa Sigrunardottir and sophomore Aliviah McClinton knelt on the home turf during the national anthem at the girls’ soccer game against Southwest High School Sept. 25.

This occurred after inspiration from athletes in the NFL, WNBA and MLB who participated in some act of protest during the national anthem.

According to Laura Bigirindavyi, parent of senior player Bigirindavyi, the players exemplified a national issue hitting home.

“What is relevant in the injustice that is being protested in the NFL is also present in the high school on many levels,” Bigirindavyi said.

According to senior goalie Olivia Massie, the action expressed a larger issue.

“It’s not a little act,” Massie said. “If we all do this it shows something much bigger than ourselves.”

Although not aware the act would occur, varsity coach Benjy Kent said he supports the players’ intentions to exercise their rights.

“We haven’t talked about it as a team but I think our team and our school (are) supportive of students’ rights,” Kent said.

Sophomore player Aliviah McClinton said she knelt in reaction to issues arising from Trump’s presidency and hopes her action inspires others.

“I took a knee because I don’t stand for a country and a president that doesn’t want to protect black people,” McClinton said. “I hope that it sends (the message that) you don’t have to be afraid to take a stand. Don’t be afraid of the consequences.”

Echo’s Anna duSaire and Alec Pittman also contributed to this story.