Why is it that in this recession, our schools cut all our art programs, but find it impossible to do anything about the high school sports? I have personally never understood why anyone at all would like participating in sports, but I respect that it is a hobby of many people, and that physical activity is required in schools.
But to what extent?
There are five bands at my high school. They're considering cutting the most popular one, Jazz Band, because the fourteen students enrolled don't count as a class. I've been practicing all year to try out for jazz band this summer, and they're going to get rid of it just like that? The Jazz Band is the elite band -- there are tryouts to get into it, and people come to events just to see them play. They are the pride and joy of our high school. So how can they get rid of them?
There are a decent number of art classes at my school: pottery, jewelry, drawing, web design, graphic design, commercial art . . . and yet, they want to get rid of the painting class. Sure, we dabbled with Tempera paints in drawing for about two weeks, but otherwise, these kids get no in-depth explanation to the wonderful world of paintbrushes and canvas. Why? Because there are only seventeen students.
They haven't cut any of our school's sports programs. Sure, some sports, like football, are pay-to-play, but it still costs the school $600 per player. There are countless teams at our school, and there's a JV and a Varsity for everything. If there's a sport, I'm sure my school has it. Dance Team. Bowling. Swim.
A football game would not be a football game without a marching band, but with how the school board wants to practically eradicate any form of creative class, at this rate we won't have one.
Sports are not the only thing that keeps kids in school. I have many friends who would have dropped out if it wasn't for that extra art class, or that great song they were playing in wind symphony, or the awesome teacher who taught electronics. Why do schools still idolize sports as the only thing that matters? Our school billboard said nothing about the art show coming up -- it was filled with the scores from the latest game. There was hardly anyone there.
And how many kids are going to go on to be professional athletes, or get sports scholarships? There are way more kids that want to go into graphic design, be artists, or be engineers. I personally want to go to college to be an illustrator, and I have at least three friends that want to get degrees in music. There are so many more art and music scholarships at my school than there are for sports.
I don't think any of this adds up. Our school wants us to stick to our 'career pathway', or what we plan to be when we've finished our education. How many kids want to play lacrosse as a career, or be a swimmer, or play tennis? Yes, there are very successful sports stars, but it's not easy to become one. So why do we still place so much emphasis on sports?
I am seriously fed up with our school board and their hypocritical actions. Next time there's a meeting, and they're going to speak about budget cuts, I am going to stand up for what I love and tell them that they can't just keep demolishing every program, save for sports. Are you angry, too? Then do something about it! One person can't defend her jazz band by herself . . . but maybe, if we all work together, we can get the job done.
