By Alanna Pierce – Viewpoints Writer
Clarke Central High School averages 1500 students every year. With around a hundred teachers along, with a large population of Athenians, there should be tons of support and excitement for the events that the high school students participate in.
Only there is not.
There are fans for every club, sport, and activity, but the low numbers that come out to support often put the students’ hard work to waste.
Every fall the ever famous football season starts. The stands fill quickly with crowds talking and cheering, the band reserves their loyal spot that they will hold all season. They will be at every game, celebrate every touchdown and hang their heads at every loss alongside the football team. When it comes time to don black dresses and neckties and step onto the stage for concert band that support will not be returned by the team.
It is great to have big turn-outs for the games and to have the marching band in the spotlight, but there are so many teams and clubs that receive little attention. Softball games are attended by few. Junior varsity games are often over-looked for the varsity teams, and stage plays are not as popular as musicals.
While lack of time and money are excusable, it should be the responsibility of the school and the members of the community to support all students.
Orchestra concerts may not be the time to shout out your friend’s name and cheer for their solo, but given the chance music can be quite the reward.
Buford High School in Buford (Ga.) requires their football team to attend Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) in order to support the band. The schools of Athens should start requiring students to attend at least one sporting event and one arts performance every spring and fall.
Imagine if the whole soccer team went to a chorus concert, every chorus member attended a wrestling match and all the wrestlers attended a junior varsity soccer game.
Students may not like it because they feel forced into going, but making attendance mandatory can benefit the viewers just as much as the players. While the actors, athletes and musicians will get increased confidence and motivation the attendants will be gaining new experiences, making new memories, and seeing activities that may interest them in the future.
There are also students who may not be involved in extracurricular activities. If they start attending games or concerts they may be pushed to get involved.
Students will be held to higher standards, but more importantly they will want to meet those standards. Athletes have to have certain grades to play and if students become involved in athletics they will have to maintain their grades and work in their classes.
Theatre performances demand a certain level discipline from the audience, so students will have a chance to practice etiquette. Suit and tie are not required for high school attendance but the introduction to social skills may aid in interviews, classes, and future visits to formal settings and places.
While students are doing what they love the activities are made to be public spectacles.The high notes, the tackles, are for the audience just as much as the members.
No one wants an absent crowd.The next time there is a game or a concert or a showcase the community should remember that the students are thinking of them as they step onto their own stage and be there to offer a roaring applause no matter the outcome.
