Choice Matters by Ashley

Choice Matters by Ashley - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

As I began my seventh grade year I had the opportunity to take band, choir, or orchestra, all in which were categorized as extracurricular activities. At that time, I thought it was a great opportunity to try new things and look to see what my interests were. I remember the whole school going into this crowded room, trying out every brass and wooden instrument you could ever think of. I was exposed to sounds I have never heard before. One of the moments I remember most was trying to play the trumpet because the vibration suppressed on my lips made me burst into laughter.
After trying out all the different options, I decided to play the clarinet. Making that decision was frightening because it was a required class and I wanted to make sure that it was something I actually wanted to play for the next two years. The first day was definitely something to remember. Not one person could actually make a good sound come out of their instrument. The screeching noises rang my eardrums; I wanted to leave the room.
Everyday consisted of taking at least an hour of our time to practice. At least halfway into the year my opinion changed from loving to play the instrument, to not engaging myself in class or even wanting to practice. This opportunity went from being something I love to do, to becoming a chore that I dreaded doing all the time. I couldn’t get myself out of that class fast enough. I was forced doing this extracurricular activity for the next two years.
When something is forced upon oneself, the excitement and compassion for that activity diminishes. People do extracurricular activities because it is something that they love to do. If you force children to take these activities they do them because they would need it to graduate, not because they are compassionate towards it. The hard work and dedication weakens and the result of these forced actions become dwindled.
People are made differently, with different strengths and weaknesses. Not every extracurricular activity is made for every person. If they don’t want to take their own time to practice and go to these activities, they shouldn’t be forced to. Extracurricular activities should not be required for high school graduation.