Extracurricular activities well worth time, spotlight

Extra! Extra! Curricular.
The name of ANR’s new special section, debuting this week, is in itself a shout-out to area students who deserve a little time in the spotlight.
That was the goal behind a project that started with a brainstorming session months ago. For decades, our staff — reflecting a popular tradition celebrated by most weekly newspapers — has showcased area sports teams before each season begins with a special edition. We’re told those sections are often read from cover to cover and sometimes saved in family scrapbooks. It’s always fun to interview head coaches at the four area schools we cover, giving them a forum to talk about this year’s team and the season ahead.
That tradition continues, and in fact you’ll see the spring version of ANR’s sports preview in next week’s edition, showcasing the Huskies, Hawks, Hornets, and Storm.
But there are other extracurricular activities that impact our youth in significant ways, and we decided they were deserving of that same bright spotlight. Fine arts programs — including vocal and instrumental music, speech, and drama — teach invaluable life skills that are every bit as valuable as lessons learned on the field or court of athletic competition. Add to that the many other extracurricular choices — including FBLA, FFA, SkillsUSA, and others — and you start to get a glimpse of what Aurora High School Principal Doug Kittle calls “the other half of education.”
Kittle is spot on in saying that some of the life skills we all use each and every day were taught in school-related activities. Very few student-athletes go on to make a living in sports, with the rare exception being Aurora’s own Baylor Scheierman, who is now living out his dream with the Boston Celtics. But regardless of the career path we choose, we can all benefit from knowing how to solve problems, speak in public, manage our time, and venture outside our comfort zone from time to time.
I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the band and jazz band back in my high school days at Chase County High School, where more than half the student population picked up an instrument just to be part of a successful, fun, memory-making music program. (Sounds very familiar here in Aurora:-) Looking back, I wish I would have had the guts and perhaps a nudge of encouragement to be part of the speech team as well. I eventually figured out how to put that fear of speaking behind me, but watching some of this year’s local competitors makes me realize how much that experience would have helped at that stage of my game.
Hampton High Principal Carson Klute hit the nail on the head with a comment in this week’s Extra! Extra! preview:
“That takes a lot of guts, a lot of courage,” Klute said of singing a solo or giving a speech. “So to get up on a stage and sing or play an instrument or speak in front of people just develops the whole person. It develops skills needed by everybody.”
It’s that mindset that reminds us why extracurricular activities matter. They shape confident, well-rounded individuals who are ready to tackle life beyond high school. As a community, it’s essential that we continue to support these programs — whether through sponsorships, volunteering, or simply showing up to cheer on our students.
ANR tips its hat to those involved with extracurricular activities and thanks the business sponsors for adding their endorsements as well. Your support makes these opportunities possible and helps shape the leaders of tomorrow by giving them a little extra (curricular) nudge.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net