Shamokin student urges board to form girls wrestling team, cites Title IX and petition support

Farrah Bamahi, an eighth‑grade student at Shamokin, urged the Shamokin Area School District Board of Directors on March 18, 2025, to establish a girls wrestling team, saying a petition of roughly 60–70 supporters and dozens of potential participants back the request.

Bamahi told the board she wrestles and that she and other girls feel uncomfortable competing only on boys’ teams. “By providing equal opportunities for female athletes, Shamokin will demonstrate equality and fairness,” she said, and she cited Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as the federal law that requires schools to provide equal athletic opportunities for boys and girls.

The request, presented during the board’s public‑comment period, included counts Bamahi said came from her petition and past interest: about 60–70 people signed in support, and “40 between 50 people” said they would join the program; she also said 49 students sought to join a girls team last year. Bamahi listed coaches and staff she credited, including Jason Boghetti and Josh Lar.

A board member responded that the district staff and coaches have already discussed the idea. “I’m sure we’ll be having some conversations because Mr. Clark did have a conversation with coach Boghetti today,” the board member said. The board did not make a motion or vote on creating a girls wrestling team at the meeting.

Bamahi also argued that girls wrestling is a fast‑growing sport in the region and cited neighboring schools in District 4 that have girls programs. She said the district would need only transportation, singlets and a practice space to start the team, and that she considers the proposal low‑cost compared with its potential benefits for female student athletes.

No formal action or timeline was announced by the board at the meeting. The item remained a public comment request; any next steps would require staff review and/or a future agenda item and formal board action.