byjenniferCROUCH
reporter

The soccer girls miss three days of school to go to a state competition in Chattanooga, and they get to make all of their work up.

Spencer and Mitchell Connell miss one day of school to go to a national wakeboarding competition in Florida, and they get zeros on all of their assignments.

By doing these sports, these students are simply creating the necessary balance needed in their lives.

The bowling nation gets recognized every week for how they did in their match whether they have won or lost.

Despite the fact that dancers receive little recognition at school, they win many awards and prizes for their hard work year round.

Competitive gymnasts, horseback riders, ice skaters, and motocross racers are also some non-school sponsored activities that are not even acknowledged.

Some of these activities are even debated to be sports; however, I believe that they are true athletes because they work hard every day.

You may be wondering, “How did I not know about this?”

Since dance, wakeboarding, and ice skating are not school sponsored they get little recognition.

Three students at FRA attend the Nashville Dance Center and won The Ontour Dance Challenge National Finals

Spencer and Mitchell Connell went to a national wakeboarding competition this summer and placed 7th and 14th.

I love FRA and it is a great school, but the teams here should not take priority over the non-school sponsored sports.

I think that our school could also be more supportive, because talented athletes are being penalized for their talents.
 
The middle school students who do non-school sponsored sports are now required to take Physical Education without the option of a sports study hall.

Some of these activities require the same amount of work if not more than the school sponsored sports so give these athletes a break because they deserve just as many rights.