I Believe in Differences of Opinions by Allison

I Believe in Differences of Opinions by Allison - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

I found this topic to be very interesting. Should extracurricular activities be required in order to graduate? Well – should they? I believe that this is a question that could easily stir up quite a bit of controversy. I agree that extracurricular activities are awesome. They lead to new friendships, learning, and the growing of confidence in each student who participates. They also set a foundation for the future. Students who participate in multiple activities gain an advance for the future. They learn the importance of time management as well as responsibilities at a younger age. However, do you know what else teaches these qualities? Working a job in high school prepares teenagers for the future like nothing else ever could. It gives insight into the adult world while giving teenagers the opportunity to save money for college. I believe that everyone deserves a choice.
Whether a student wants to participate in extracurricular activities or not is entirely their decision. Each student is an individual meaning that they have different aspirations, priorities, and dreams. While one student may love being a part of sports and clubs, another may prefer to have a job and spend time with family and friends. It is different for every student, so why should we make something like this a requirement? This is taking away the basic rights of students – their right to a decision. As much as I have enjoyed being a part of extracurricular activities throughout high school, I have watched my friend who is not apart of them, succeed just like me. Although she is not the president of any clubs or organizations, she is planning on attending a four year university to major in Business and Agriculture. She even has a decide amount of money saved up for tuition in college next year from her part time job.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that each student is diverse. Each student has a plan for their life, and I feel like they should be completely free to pursue whatever they like. Whether it is Spanish club, soccer, volleyball, Ag class, or not a single extracurricular – a student has the right to make the decision for themselves. A job and quality time with loved ones can be just as beneficial to one as a group of clubs. I believe my extracurricular activities were as asset to me throughout high school, but they were not essential to my growth and development. I do not believe that extracurricular activities should be required for graduation. I believe they should be encouraged but certainly not required, because each student should be able to follow their own path and live their own life.