In June 2021, Maddy Casper graduated from W.F. West High School and Centralia College at the age of 15, earning high honors from the latter for her GPA of 3.9.
A soccer player, she was then unable to continue her high school sports career. Nearly two years later, Casper, 17, is set to continue her college education, likely at the University of South Florida, her mother reported in an email.
But, as her life was impacted by no longer participating on the soccer team for athletics — she continued on the sidelines as a team manager — Casper sought to change the rules for students like her in the future.
“At this point we aren’t sure what the results will be, but it’s been fun watching her work on the project.” said Kathleen Casper, Maddy’s mom, in an email to The Chronicle last week. “Maddy wrote to the legislators and the state superintendent of public instruction, and the WIAA. She told them her story and asked for their help. They all responded in helpful ways, inviting her to discuss the issue more and to meet with them.”
It wasn’t that W.F. West didn’t want her around, Kathleen Casper said, just that their hands were tied with WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) rules.
But, after Maddy Casper met with various lawmakers, her mother reported the WIAA executive director said they were working on revamping the rules and would look at her issue.
“She has been following up. … (19th District) Representative (Jim) Walsh said he would gladly support a bill to enforce schools having to include early graduates until they otherwise are ineligible to play,” Kathleen Casper said, later adding, “By the way, none of that advocacy will impact her life anymore she is going off to university in the fall and will not be able to play high school sports again anyway.”
Read about Maddy Casper in a 2021 Chronicle article at https://www.chronline.com/stories/at-15-local-girl-graduating-from-centralia-college-with-high-honors,267067.
