Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 20, 1993 TAG: 9310210308
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
``And yet, when things get tough, the first thing people want to do is cut activities,'' he said.
Activities director Ron Kanipe put the student participation rate at 75 percent.
The school's 18 varsity-level sports alone involve more than a third of the entire student body, he said. By itself, he said, only about one fourth of 1 percent of the total county school budget is used to pay for the high school's activities.
Speakers at the school's second PTA meeting of the 1993-94 year Monday night argued that those activities are a good deal - not just financially, but also in turning out well-rounded students.
``Why be involved in band or drama or art or choir?'' asked school band director Bob Priest.
It is all part of learning, he said. A band member producing musical notes is also solving a kind of math problem, demonstrating a physics principle and learning something about acoustics, he said.
Activities also sharpen problem-solving skills and help students learn to work with others, he said. He quoted students who said their activities helped them with self-discipline, working as a team, learning responsibility and time management.
Priest cited a highly praised school drama production from last year, ``Godspell,'' as an example of all the school's fine arts organizations working together as a cohesive unit.
Lloyd Davis, a drafting teacher for 30 years, told of students overcoming obstacles to win regional, state and national contests offered by Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Future Farmers of America and other organizations.
``Learning is hard,'' he said. ``But there are some things that are fun.''
Kanipe, the activities director, said the American College Testing Service has found that achievement in school activities is a better yardstick than grades or test scores in predicting success after high school.
Besides, he said, activities support the academic mission of schools. They are not a diversion, but an extension of a good educational program.
He cited statistics from a number of studies showing that students taking part in sports or academic activities generally make better grades, are more likely to graduate and go on to college, less likely to use drugs and have fewer absences.
Other studies indicate that activities foster success in later life, he said. A survey of Fortune 500 executives showed many involved in sports, student government, National Honor Society, music, scouting, school publications and other activities in high school.
PTA President Richard Ashworth reminded those attending of the successes in just one area, the school's chess team, in winning championships at all levels up to national competitions.
The PTA also voted to become a sponsor of the school's After-Prom Night party during this academic year.
by CNB