Not just athletes
Romans 13:7 says that we should give honor to those who deserve it. And one group that receives honor frequently — at least, from the media — is the athletes.
Their names are in the paper every week, telling us who made the most kills in the volleyball game or who gained the most yards in Friday night's gridiron contest. It's appropriate for them to be there; these athletes perform in the public eye, and it follows that their deeds should be recognized publicly.
But in all our "honor-giving" to these athletes, sometimes we forget the others who are just as hard-working and just as dedicated. Because their deeds aren't quite so public, their names don't get in the paper as much. They don't stand in front of hundreds of people at the big game.
That all changed last Thursday night at the Marion County Academic Awards Program.
See, these kids are the real heroes. They're the ones who work hard at school, who diligently — consistently — make the grades that will help them succeed in the world. Many of them are athletes, but many are not. For the ones that are not, their day in the sun was long-past due.
That goes for the members of the HHS bands too. Playing a musical instrument is hard — really, really hard. To perfect an instrument, it takes hours and hours of lonely practice time. Practicing scales, learning key signatures.
All that takes much time, and it's time that's spent alone. Not in the spotlight. And nobody sees your hard work until the big concert, which only happens once or twice a semester.
But now, we'll get to hear these dedicated student musicians more often. They're making their own CD.
The scholars and the musicians. These students are the ones who don't get the recognition they deserve.
Athletics has its place in the school system. Anybody could reel off the benefits of playing on a sports team — school pride, discipline, teamwork, respect of authority, time-management skills. These are just a few of the benefits.
But often, the student athlete is elevated to an almost god-like status in the community just because he or she can shoot the ball well or run a fast 440.
Why don't we give our other excelling students the same recognition?
— JENNIFER WILSON
