Should extracurricular activities be required for high school graduation? Why or why not? by Jamie

Should extracurricular activities be required for high school graduation? Why or why not? by Jamie - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

More and more schools are encouraging student involvement outside of the classrooms. Being a high school senior, I realize how vital participating in extracurricular activities can become. I do believe additional curricular activities should be required prior to completing a high school diploma.
There are some students who are not as highly extroverted or socially motivated as others. There are some who would prefer to go to class, do the homework, get a passing grade and return home to limited chores and activities. There are some who are extremely educated in the classroom, but fall short with social interaction and personal relations with other human beings. I can’t help but question how much more fulfilling their purpose in life would be if they tapped into other areas of involvement.
Mandating extracurricular activities opens an avenue for students to enlarge their circle of friends. It is a motivating factor to discover new interests, challenge the way of perspective thinking, and promote involvement in areas that otherwise would not have been advocated.
Being an accomplished athlete, I thought I understood the impact determination and proper mindset have on the game. Over the past two years, I have become more involved in the volunteering of underprivileged and challenged athletes. This experience opened my eyes on a grander scale, to see determination is not just used in the classroom or on a soccer field; it’s needed every day of our life. We can’t truly function without it. Volunteering taught me purpose in being thankful, respect to all bodies of life, and a sense of accomplishment, I could have never learned in a classroom.
Activities outside of the classroom often challenge our knowledge. It pushes the boundaries unfamiliar to our comfort zone. It takes courage to get involved in uncharted territories, awareness of opportunities, and balance within reason. Extracurricular activities may unveil a hidden talent or disclose a desired passion just waiting to be guided by your life of influence. If we all would take the knowledge learned inside a classroom and use it to revolve outside the building - more bold, empowered, and firm foundations would be developed and less likely to crumble.