Opinion Story

Opinion Story

Dance, band, tennis, theater, choir, swim team, football, soccer, art, lacrosse, softball, student council, yearbook, photography, JROTC. What do all of these activities have in common? They are all positive outlets for students to channel their stress, frustration, energy, and learn to work with a team.

6/10 students participate in extracurricular activities such as the ones that were listed above, and it's proven that those who do have a lower dropout rate, higher GPA's, and a happier high school experience. Being involved in activities, whether it be at school or outside of school, keeps students busy, which helps them stay out of trouble, and teaches critical life skills.

Students in team sports learn tolerance, teamwork, patience, compromise, and other extremely important skills that are crucial to adult life and jobs. Strategy sports such as football and soccer teach kids problem solving skills, and develop a stronger and more developed mind. These skills improve grades in math and science, as well as other logic and strategy based subjects.

Students who participate in art programs such as band, choir, theater, dance, art, and other creative activities have a healthy way to express themselves. Connecting with other people who enjoy the same things as you helps develop friendships that you can truly be yourself in, and help you share a common interest. When researching evidence and statistics, I found 22,800,000 posts under the search 'How Music Saved My Life," with thousands of comments and blogs, showing that when you find something you love, it can even save your life.

If a group, club, or team a student participates in competes in competitions, it gives the student a positive sense of competition and working hard as a team for a mutual goal. Winning a competition is an indescribable sense of payoff from all their hard work, and inspires them to keep working, while affirming their talent and giving them confidence.

Leadership based programs such as student council, safety patrol, or PALS, which we have here at Bowie, give students the tools to expand their horizons and surround themselves with equally motivated and passionate students as them. Making a difference, with perhaps a student government position, gives students a positive accomplishment, and sense of pride.

Balancing an extracurricular activity with schoolwork is an excellent way to develop time management skills, which are so important when getting into higher education such as upper class high school, college, and even future jobs in early adulthood and a later career. Being in an extracurricular activity also has physical and mental health benefits.

Being a part of an organization gives students a sense of self worth and accomplishments, boosting their self confidence and giving them positive challenges. Many young athletes and artists use their art or sport as an escape from a stressful school project, friend problems, or family issues.

Not only having mental health benefits, participating in activities gives many students a physical health boost. Participating in a sport gives students a healthy workout regimen; from doing conditioning and stretching as a team, to actively running and working.

Many sports teams also teach students about the importance of taking care of their bodies, teaching them the healthiest options for food, the right way to stretch and work out, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. A National study of US schools show than student athletes are 22% less likely to smoke cigarettes than a student who doesn't participate in a sport.

Many school programs also have a "Pass to play" rule in place, which is an incentive that helps motivate students to pass their classes so they can participate in games or competitions. Since many students have no desire to be left out, or lose the chance to win, they work much harder in school to keep their grades up, study for tests and exams, and consult with their teachers.

Conner Washington is a 21 year old basketball player who has often made the claim "Basketball saved my life." Washington's mom died when he was just 11, and basketball was what stopped him from a life full of drugs, alcohol, crime, and violence. He realized he needed to channel his energy and grief into a positive way, and make his mother proud. "Without basketball I would probably be in jail, or even dead." said Washington.

With millions of schools all over the nation having hundreds of clubs and activities, you're bound to find something you love. If we help our students find an interest they're passionate about, and get involved, millions of lives will be changed for the better.