For some students, the final bell doesn’t always mean the end of the school day. While most of your classmates rush for the exit doors, a dedicated few stay behind, juggling clubs, sports and activities that keep the halls buzzing long after lessons have finished.
Students facing this accomplishment often sacrifice meaningful hobbies and social events, all while trying to carve out time for studying.
“I do a lot of my schoolwork and studying in the car on my way to practice,” freshman Hailey Humphrey, who’s involved in both basketball and soccer, said.
For Humphrey, every free moment is dedicated to learning, exemplifying the determination it takes for a student-athlete to succeed both in the classroom and on the court.
As a result, the demanding routines of these busy students often mean missing out on activities that many of their peers take for granted.
“I’ve had to skip a lot of workouts, rehearsals, and recently HOCO because of all my activities,” sophomore Grant Staley said. Staley is a member of both the marching band and the baseball team, which often requires him to navigate overlapping after-school practices.
To other students, such as drill team and marching band participant Kyra Nakagaki, that sometimes means sacrificing many teenage girl privileges, such as going out with friends and cheering for her football team from the stands.
“Being involved means early mornings, late nights, and weekends spent at practices, games, performances, and catching up on homework,” Nakagaki, a junior, said. She shares the challenges and rewards of her commitments, noting the “valuable leadership skills” she gains as an officer for the Sapphires and the “strong communication and teamwork skills” that come from working with different groups of people.
Despite the sacrifices, students manage to remain committed to balancing their responsibilities and making the most of every opportunity — even as burnout threatens to catch up with them. But for freshman Aalya Krupaharan, balancing orchestra, tennis, and multiple school clubs like DECA and student council is no easy feat.
“I hold myself to high standards,” Krupaharan said “And I make rest a priority.”
This shows that throughout her packed schedule, Krupaharan has found strategies that help her stay organized while also avoiding burnout. She also shared that:
“I used to be an introverted person, but all my extracurriculars have helped me become more outgoing so that I can talk and present with people I have never met before.” At Reedy, the final bell doesn’t always signify the end of the school day. For these students, it means stepping into yet another role — athlete, musician, leader — and stepping out of their comfort zones.
“I couldn’t have done it without my friends and family,” Nakagaki said. “They are incredibly supportive and cheer me on during every game and competition.”
