Letter: athletes are great, but other school clubs should be celebrated too

To the Editor-

From my desk in the classroom where I’m substitute teaching, I can count 17 athletic posters. This is just in one room.

The hallways of the school are plastered with posters celebrating each and every sports team the school hosts. From some angles, you can see two or three of the same poster at the same time. The school is littered with these posters.

Now, I have nothing against sports in school. I was a two-sport athlete when I was in high school, and they were very formative in my life. I loved the companionship of my team and working together for a singular goal. I had a lot of fun, and I reminisce fondly when I am at class reunions.

However, I was also in band, choir, forensics, the fall play, and student council. I can tell you which ones have provided me more use in the years beyond high school and none require a jock-strap.

Because of this, I object to limiting mass celebration only to athletics in the school.

I’ve never seen posters of the orchestra, band, choir, or forensics teams. The school has a chess club, debate team and taekwondo club, but you’d never know it. There is no student art hung on the walls to admire or inspire. There are nearly three dozen student clubs outside of athletics at SPASH, but they are not featured on every, or for that matter any, walls.

How do non-athletic students feel when only athletes are celebrated with professional photographers and beautiful team posters? How are students who devote hours every day to practicing instruments, art, or singing going to feel a sense of belonging in the school when all they see are jerseys and never choir robes or band uniforms?

Again, I have no problem with school athletics. I know they have booster clubs and funding the other clubs and organizations don’t, so they can afford posters. I’m not saying the posters should all come down. SPASH has an Athletic Hall of Fame in their main hallway. Put the posters there. Let the rest of the halls celebrate the other amazing students and their talents beyond the field or the court. Display more art. Let the classrooms be a place for learning materials and not sports memorabilia.

Sing the praises of all students instead of a select few.

Jacob Mathias
UWSP Student
Stevens Point School District Substitute Teacher