Why Nerds Need Cheerleaders Too
In this staged photo, junior Mariel Barocas studies hard as cheerleaders Ivory McCulley and Jessica Torrellas celebrate their victories.
January 6, 2016
Why is it that students with athletic accomplishments have assemblies dedicated to them, morning announcements filled with their praise and countless articles in local newspapers concerning their most recent win, while the students who have achieved well-deserved goals in the academic field receive so little as the occasional pat on the back?
I am not denouncing the value athletics hold in our society; I agree that they teach vital characteristics to our kids such as cooperation, determination and the value of hard work. My reservations lie in the fact that these same values are also exhibited by determined students who sacrifice their social life to do hours of studying to score perfectly on their exams, yet no one acknowledges them.
What the vast majority of people at Stamford High School do not realize is that it takes just as much time, effort, and practice to maintain perfect grades as it does to maintain a perfect record in a sports season. One could even say that it is more demanding to maintain grades because you are not a part of a team that, quite literally, can help you when you have dropped the ball. Being a true scholar condemns you to a team of one, where all the games’ stakes are riding on the back of only one player.
Being a true scholar condemns you to a team of one.
So, if being a scholar is as hard as it sounds, then why don’t those kids who achieve academic excellence receive the same attention and accreditation that athletes are given? The school could host an all-school academic awards assembly, where hard working students, who otherwise would not receive any rewards, are recognized for their outstanding academic achievement. Or even a small webpage or bulletin board posted publicly which identifies that quarter’s high scoring students would suffice.
Simple rewards could provide the small incentive many students need to spur their motivation toward achieving higher academically. Stamford High, an inner city school with a diverse student body, is home to many students whose parents may have to ration their time between multiple jobs and their children. This unfortunately results in parents who, to their children, are seemingly uninterested in their achievement. So without the encouragement of said preoccupied parent, a student’s priorities may fall to the whims of society. And, when we live in a world where everyone knows the two teams contending for the NFL Super Bowl, but not the names of the intellectuals running for president, it is not difficult to see how a student may choose to spend more time working toward their athletics—rather than their academics.
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Randy Malak • Jan 23, 2016 at 5:42 pm
In my opinion, I’m the greatest basketball player in this school. And that’s Facts !
Will Johnson • Jan 8, 2016 at 12:47 pm
The reason that the gifted athletes of the community get the attention is because people actually care about what they’re doing. Im pretty sure that more people attend sporting events than academic decathlons. If you really think that the newspaper writers are going to put your progress report in the section designated for the pro bowl coverage you’re out of your mind.
-Yours Truly
Mariel Barocas • Jan 9, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Will Johnson-
I would like to preface this by saying I was not making demands for myself (like publishing something as insignificant as a progress report in a newspaper) I am making a general commentary on how society and SHS reward athletics versus intellect. I also would never even consider replacing athletics with intellect, I simply am calling for a “leveling of the playing fields” as I stated in my above comment.
Anonymous • Jan 7, 2016 at 8:15 pm
I would like to start off by saying that you raise a valid point, but I think you are discrediting the student-athletes that are both extremely talented and that work hard to do the same school work of their peers, most of them also performing highly. The reason that academics and athletics are treated differently is likely due to the fact that athletics have been a form of entertainment that the general public has enjoyed supporting and watching for a while. Like those who are exceptional artists, singers, dancers, or actors, athletes are praised for being able to do things that most average people cannot do themselves. When you look at these groups professionally, you can see how rare talents enhanced by hard work and commitment can be reflected into paychecks and incredible amount of attention and fame. In contrast, being able to maintain a good gpa while at Stamford High is what is expected of students. While it takes a considerable amount of work (especially depending on the classes you decide to take) good grades shouldn’t be treated like something only a select few can achieve. Everyone should be capable of learning at a high level. I think that the fact that there are only a handful of students excelling at Stamford High is more a reflection of the failure of the school system in Stamford, than of your character. Lastly, if you do continue earning grades that go above and beyond, you will be awarded with a bright future, which, in my opinion, is much nicer than your picture in the paper or a high school awards ceremony.
Mariel Barocas • Jan 9, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Anonymous-
I completely agree that student-athletes are the best of both worlds— as you can see, I actually never brought them up in my Op-Ed for that very reason. Though I may not be an athlete in the most common sense of the word, I have been actively skiing for 12 years of my life and I am also a part of a team of riders in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, who compete against other teams in regional competitions. Therefore, I understand and agree that athleticism requires a special “above average” talent that is achieved through hard work and discipline. However, I respectfully disagree that the failure of all students to achieve an excelled academic status at Stamford high is a reflection of the “failure of the school system.” Isn’t being above average in academics also a rare talent? In just the same way that not everyone can be a professional athlete, not all students can win the Nobel Peace prize, otherwise there would already be a cure for cancer and we would have the capacity end harmful climate change. It is the unfortunate truth that some people, whether it is through hard work, or even just genetic luck, will excel further than others in ALL spheres of life— physical and mental. I am in no way threating the importance of athletics in our society, and I think that is why so many people are quick to disagree with my opinion. You have to admit that outside of high school, a well-developed intellect will get you just as far, if not farther, than well-developed muscle tone, so why aren’t the playing fields leveled at the high school level to prepare kids for their futures?