Why Not? by Ashleigh

Why Not? by Ashleigh - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

The wet, yet oddly satisfying condensation drips down the faces, palms, and brows of many teens today. Faced with the challenges of fitting in with the crowd or finding a way to be set away from it, teens find friends, or methods of escape from the exhausting circus which is life. Extracurricular activities should be a requirement for graduation simply for the fact that they show a dedication towards the betterment of one’s life. In clarification extracurricular activities may be defined as sports teams or clubs which compete, academic clubs, service clubs or institutions, musical teams and groups, theatrical performance groups, as well as many more groups which provide opportunities for the development of leadership skills and service initiative.
Extracurricular activities provide a method for students to discover different occupational paths which may interest them to study. By becoming identifiable to a group students build communication and team building skills. These skills are used in everyday life, regardless of the occupation you hold. While many students take advantage of these opportunities before them, there are a considerable amount who still remain, after years of schooling, incapable of working and compromising with others in times of trial and adversity. These same students then go on to study at a collegiate level and are unsuccessful due to their limited knowledge of the possibilities which surround them.
When these activities become identifiable to the student, their lives are bettered. Students today are faced with and enormous amount of pressure to be the best in virtually everything. By becoming comfortable with their abilities, and being able to see the progress possible to be achieved, these students are able to release some of that external influence and become more intrinsically motivated in the various aspects of their lives which govern the direction of the future.
Dedication is the real award which comes from the hours, and days spent in this level of participation. By continually returning to practice, competitions, and projects we learn how to perceiver through tough and testing situations. It is not always easy to work as a team, or accept the fact that we are not perfect at all things we put our hands or minds to. Dedication is something which cannot be taught through coursework in a classroom. Dedication comes through personal experience. Extracurricular activities open that door to a world of knowledge which is not possible to learn and experience through planned lessons.
Some may argue that the drive and determination which so many hold through these activities will diminish as they become a requirement. I agree to the extent that actions become irrelevant when they become the only option available. The key to this system being successful is allowing the individual to be expressed in the best manner for that person. We would not have had the leaders we do today, or those who have formed the world we now exist in, by all being required to be impeccable composers. Just as we may not all be composers, not all composers would be successful in leading an army through battle. There is balance in this question of requirement.
I believe it should be required because greater participation between persons brings greater understanding and appreciation for the differences which allow communities to be prosperous. We need these activities not to separate and distinguish individuals, but to recognize the importance of the vast talents held by so many in this world.