September 30, 2005 -Vol. 34 Issue 2
Editorial: Find the right extracurricular
By Phillip Vernon, sophomore
News Editor
Students these days have several extracurricular activities
to choose from. They range from band, to sports, to the many different clubs.
With all these choices, a student may get caught up and not know what to
do.
A big problem for students is a conflicting schedule. Parents often hear, “Well,
I have to be here at a certain time, but I also have other things going on,” while
trying to figure out the family schedule. Phrases like “I will try
to be there, but I may be late because I have another activity,” are
often heard around school. Luckily, there is a solution.
Cartoon by Haley Huffman
What these
students need to do is decide what they want to be involved in. Maybe they
were pressured into doing something that they did not want
to
do. They need to be sure to weed-out the things that do not interest
them, because, to be blunt, high school careers are too short to waste away
on
things that do not involve personal interest.
Students also need to learn how to manage their time wisely. If they
have a conflicting schedule, they should make sure they do the activity
that
they feel is more important or that may be more advantageous to them
in the future.
For example, if someone feels that football will be more important to
them in the future, but they also have a club meeting, then they should
go
to the football meeting or practice instead.
If someone else plans to
participate in college band, it would be more important to go to the
band performances
rather than a conflicting sports practice.
It is good for students to know what they want to do with their future.
Knowing this can help them make some crucial decisions in their
lifetimes. Some clubs
can help students in making that decision. Some clubs and organizations
prepare students for future careers, such as newspaper or FFA.
Clubs such as FCCLA
and LEO can get students involved in our community and can look good
on a college resume.
Activities help students set life goals and achievements. So, everyone
should be sure to choose extracurricular activities wisely. Make
sure that every
activity is a wise choice, because no one can predict how it might
affect lives in the present and possibly in the future.
Students gain from diverse experiences (Pro)
By Robbie Ball, senior
Sports Editor
Broad ranges of extracurricular activities are available to students who
attend this school. It is extremely important that students become involved
in more than just a few activities. Not only should they become involved
in sports, but also organizations such as FCCLA and Scholars’ Bowl.
These organizations help students to stay busy and out of trouble, as well
as providing them with the opportunity to interact with their fellow classmates.
Students
are able to make several lasting memories while they are playing in a game
or on a trip to a contest or parade. Friends that share these memories
will be around for years to come, and when it comes time for reunions, discussions
can focus around how much fun everyone had during high school.
Extracurricular activities also install a sense of pride. People are proud
when they do well and are proud that they can represent their school in such
a positive light. These activities also help build teamwork abilities, leadership
skills, and management skills for everyday life. Activities create a foundation
for careers after high school years, especially if involvement relates to
individual interests.
People get scholarships for all kinds of things these days, not just sports,
but also activities such as FFA and band. Students should involve themselves
in all sorts of different activities and take advantage of the fact that
there is no limit on how many a student can be a part of. There are community
service jobs that groups partake in that help to fill college requirements
for volunteer work. The more activities that are on a college/scholarship
application, the higher chance someone has of getting in and receiving scholarship
money. It shows that a student’s high school years have not been wasted,
but instead have been filled with fun and excitement to help further their
learning.
It is a good thing to have several diverse experiences in high school. During
a student’s career, ideas for the future can change quickly and often.
High schol is an opportunity to expand horizons and step out of one’s
comfort zone. If a student sticks to one activity, he or she can be at a
disadvantage if a new career is chosen. Personal ideas and outlooks on life
are impacted a lot during one’s high school years. Get into different
sports, clubs, groups, and/or organizations. They will help with college
down the road, plus allow for opportunities to go out and represent this
school with pride and respect.
Quality, not quantity, is most important (Con)
By Melanie Weilert, senior
Editor-in-chief
Towards the end of my junior year in high school, I was stricken with a panic that not participating in every extracurricular activity made available to me had ruined my high school career and paralyzed my academic future. However, my actual participation in the activities that I was passionate about allowed me the opportunity to realize that my noninvolvement in these other organizations did not define my future. Just because I had failed to become involved with an indefinite amount of organizations and activities did not mean that I had failed to be a good student or even a good person. I cared about my school and fellow classmates, I placed an honest effort into my academics, I excelled in the few activities I took part in, and I actually cared enough about making a difference that I dedicated myself to doing so.
Although many extracurricular activities provide a strong
foundation for career opportunities and a solid sample of personal strengths
and interests
to college institutions, a fine line exists between becoming involved in
activity to embellish an application and actually taking a genuine interest
in it. Colleges are not looking for students who are overwhelmingly involved
in so many different activities that they never seem to acquire the opportunity
to develop their skills past mediocrity. Instead, they are looking for
a commitment and passion outside of the normal academic setting, where
the quality of involvement reigns over quantity. While some of these activities
build character and self-esteem, the honest truth is that none of it will
even manifest itself if there is no drive or passion for what someone is
choosing to involve themselves in.
Whether we as students are consumed in the consistent sports’ seasons
or the overwhelming grind of legitimate participation in innumerable organizations
that never seem to benefit us in the long run, too many of us are wasting
the time that we have left as teenagers unsatisfied with our lives.
Above all, it is more important to me to be satisfied with who I am and
the choices I have made than to be worried about my extracurricular involvement.
I would rather be passionate about the few things I choose to participate
in, than be miserably involved in something that I only put a portion of
my efforts into. The opportunity costs of spending the rest of my high
school career unfulfilled, so that I can have a few more things to add
to my college applications, is simply not worth it to me.
Column: Gwen Stefani found here, there, everywhere
By Haley Barton, senior
Photo Editor
Despite Gwen Stefani’s hectic schedule, she has still
managed to continue her musical career. Stefani has been acting in movies,
making appearances
on television shows, and performing songs for soundtracks. Her new CD has
an assortment of different styles of music from hip-hop to soft rock. Stefani
has also managed to have her ‘Harajuku Lovers Tour’. The name
was inspired by the harajuku girls of Japan, young club kids that have a
flippant and fun attitude towards fashing. She is working on a clothing line ‘L.A.M.B.’
Stefani’s former band, No Doubt, has recorded multiplatinum albums
and she continues to inspire the ‘Harajuku girl’ in millions
of fans with her solo album.
Stefani joined No Doubt in 1987. The band was signed to Interscope in 1991.
On their third album, Tragic Kingdom, Stefani wrote a collection of songs
focused on heartbreak and rebirth, and the rest, as they say, is history.
With several smash singles, the album reached the number one spot in Billboard
and garnered two Grammy nominations.
Taking her influence to the world of technology, she designed the ‘Harajuku
Lovers’ 4.1 MP Digital Camera’ for Hewlett-Packard. The camera
was released in a limited edition with a Stefani-designed case and biographical
DVD.
Stefani will be in the movie The Work Of Director Mark Romanek, which is
to be released later this year. She attended the 47th Annual Grammy Awards
as a performer, and was also in The Aviator. She has also appeared on the
Brit Awards 2005, The Brits Backstage, VH1, and The Billboard Music Awards.
Stefani is breaking out on her own and showing the world what she’s
got to offer. Love.Angel.Music.Baby is her first solo album and its overflowing
with 80’s style beats. Think early Madonna, but way better! And, if
any students have not already checked out Gwen’s video for her first
single, ‘What You Waiting For?’ they should definitely jump
on it.
Cub Voices
Why are you involved with extracurricular activies?
 Alana Kinzle, fr., “Extracurricular activities are something fun to do.” |
 Tyler Hundley, so., “ I am not involved because I have other stuff to do after school.” |
|
 Adam Trim, sr., “It looks good on college applications, and it helps to keep me busy.” |
|
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