Extracurricular are incredibly important

As a former SHS student-athlete, I can speak firsthand to the incredible importance of extracurricular activities.

I am so thankful I had the opportunity to participate in numerous sports/clubs such as Model U.N. that were not strictly curricular classes. Through sports, I learned how to persevere, follow through on commitments, work in a team environment, be successful, lead, and sacrifice for the greater good and betterment of the team. Sports not only keep you physically active/healthy, the relationships formed and lessons learned literally cannot be taught in a classroom.

Albeit, SHS has many incredible teachers/classes, but the attributes I listed must be experienced and taught by example and others working beside you. While athletics were my primary extracurricular activities, I know SHS offers many other activities that are important and life-changing to many students.

Mr. Knowles, SHS athletic director, gave me these statistics: 90 percent of SHS students participate in an extracurricular activity (962 out of 1,066 students); 64 percent of SMS students (308 out of 482 students) and 79 percent of Clark Fork students (77 out of 97 students).

In my opinion, extracurricular activities truly prepare us for life beyond high school and give us a strong foundation for our futures.

MAGGIE KIRSCHER

Coeur d’Alene