Sports are a large part of the high school journey. The dream to be on varsity, or one day move up from JV, is a big motivator for students to give it their all. Sports also give the opportunity for scholarships, leadership positions, and a sense of belonging; as a result, some may believe that joining a sport is the only way to stand out in a sea of students.
The truth is that getting involved in any way, whether that be a club or a non-athletic activity, also opens plenty of doors for aspiring students.
“I think we build a culture where we want students to get involved in their respective ways, whether that be through activities or athletics,” athletic director Rita Castans said. “I think it’s important to be contributing members [of] our community, and that can be done in a multitude of ways.”
At Huntley High School, if a student is not the athletic type, there are still plenty of ways for them to get involved. Students and teachers alike have founded clubs, honor societies, and non-athletic teams for students to still be a part of something bigger than themselves. Clubs, such as HOSA, give students the ability to find people who share the same interests and passions as them.
“[HOSA] provides a community for people of all ages to connect over a shared interest in medicine,” junior Sophia Gounaris said. “It’s an overall amazing program and I love everyone who orchestrates and is involved in it.”
Joining clubs and non-athletic activities still gives the sense of community and impact athletic activities do. Career exploring clubs also show institutions of higher education that a student is dedicated to the field they love as well.
While some may argue there is a pressure to join a sport, non-athletic activities give the same impact, a sense of community, and a strong background for future endeavors. Sports and non-athletic extracurriculars are both ways to make not only an impact at school, but on one’s self as well.
“[When I was in a club], the people were nice and they made me feel welcome,” senior Mario Reza said. “I felt like I was actually a part of something.”
