April 30, 2024
By Angelina Dominguez
Staff Writer
With 22 clubs, 12 activities and 20 sports at LHS, there truly is an extracurricular activity to appeal to every student. While this school year is almost over, it is the perfect time for freshmen, sophomores and juniors to begin planning for next year.
Clubs, activities and sports come with a variety of benefits.
First, these extracurriculars can expose students to new interests and help them develop new skills. Among these interests are those pertaining to the visual arts, performing arts and language. Skill-based clubs include the Chess Club, Crochet Club and Robotics Club.
If you’re looking for a club that positively influences your academic performance, Future Business Leaders of America and Mock Trial Club may be a good fit for you.
No matter what club or activity you join, prospective colleges and universities want to see that applicants have joined clubs, groups and teams outside of the classroom because this demonstrates passion, commitment, and a sense of civic duty. It can also be an indicator that a student will be engaged and involved on campus.
According to the College Board, “While grades and test scores are important, colleges also want to see the person you’re becoming and the skills you’ve learned outside of class. They want to know what makes you unique.” Therefore, the extracurricular activities you participate in will help you stand out.
While clubs and activities are important, so are athletics. Student athletics require a high level of discipline and time management skills, which are also qualities that colleges value in their applicants. Student-athletes also learn to balance their academic responsibilities with their athletic commitments, which can translate into success in other aspects of life, such as careers and personal relationships.
Building human connections with people who share similar interests and feeling part of a community is invaluable.
The National Federation of State High School Associations reports that students who participate in athletics are more likely to continue to exercise for a healthy body and mind. Participation in high school athletics improves academic performance, physical health and stress management. Being involved in sports improves overall well-being and can reduce the risk of developing some types of health conditions including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
According to the content creator Love to Know, regular exercise can improve memory and increase focus. Furthermore, by participating in high school sports, students build leadership, social and teamwork skills.
Clubs, activities, and sports teams also come with the benefit of making new friends, whom you can confide in and who can confide in you. Building human connections with people who share similar interests and feeling part of a community is invaluable. Social interaction is particularly beneficial for human development, as it can help students develop strong language skills, creativity, empathy, communication, and confidence. In the right environment where students feel appreciated, respected and safe, these skills can grow.
Another benefit of participating in clubs, activities, and sports is that they give students the chance to earn Through participation in clubs and activities, students can earn service points. Service points and volunteer hours–which convert to service points–are accrued throughout high school, and when a student is a senior, they could earn a pin and a certificate of recognition at the senior assembly in June.
If a student does not want to join a student organization or sports team, they should still consider participating in class fundraisers, which are an excellent way to raise money to offset the costs of junior prom and senior banquet. Students should take advantage of this opportunity to earn money for their personal accounts.
Students have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking advantage of extracurricular activities at LHS. So whether you are looking to build a resume, enhance your skills, find your passion, get fit or socialize, consider joining one of LHS’ many clubs, activities or sports. You won’t regret it.
