Should extracurricular activities be required for high school graduation? by Darah

Should extracurricular activities be required for high school graduation? by Darah - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

I do not feel that extracurricular activities should be a requirement for graduation. I do feel however, that given activities benefit me as a student in the long run. I have a twin brother. He and I are both seniors in High School. I am very active in such activities and he is not. He has met the academic requirement and thus I feel as though he like me should be able to graduate.

During my matriculation of high school, my extracurricular activities have helped me to make friends, have opportunities to travel in competition as well as to learn skills other than classroom work. I have to work harder perhaps than someone who is not as active to balance my time. Because I enjoy my extracurricular activities, a certain GPA is required for most of my activities. This is an incentive for me personally but it may not be the case for others.

Although finances are sometimes difficult in my family, my parents stress academic success. They also encourage me to participate in activities that will help to make me well rounded. I am active in AHS Ambassadors, Beta Club, FCCLA and National Tech Honor Society to name a few. I also participate in other community based activities. I feel fortunate to have these opportunities while in school. I do not feel as though my peers who do not wish to participate in such activities who maintain a passing GPA should be held back academically.

Everyone is different and has a different goal in life. While in school our overall goal is to learn and be able to demonstrate what we have learned. If anyone can do that successfully, they should be allowed to graduate. My mother often tells me “the best is yet to come”. Perhaps they will join organizations later in college or through community membership in their communities. But in order to that, they must be allowed to graduate based on successful academic performance.