Extracurriculars for Teens: Katy ISD Sets Meaningful Example
Varsity football, art class, choir, debate club, lacrosse, theatre, and many other programs come to mind when discussing the topic of “extracurriculars” for teens and even tweens. Most high school graduates recall being a part of at least one of these numerous programs, many of whom built lifelong friendships through extracurriculars. Some have even pursued careers that directly stemmed from their involvement in an extracurricular program, whether they participated with a career mindset or not.
Why Extracurriculars Are Meaningful
People have an innate need to belong. Having a sense of belonging gives us a feeling of security, understanding, acceptance and identity. This need is amplified in our youth as they are discovering who they are and who they want to become. Having a sense of community gives teens and tweens a platform on which to learn and grow with less fear of rejection, finding commonality with their peers.
“Being plugged in and being part of a community of students who have similar interests is something that I think is so powerful for the development of the young person, especially when you’re doing something like theatre where everybody is working together toward a common goal,” said Joey Watkins, theatre director at Morton Ranch High School in Katy ISD.
There are many soft skills that are developed while participating in extracurricular activities as well, such as working together as a team, meeting deadlines, overcoming difficulties, learning how to communicate and being organized. Not only are these skills valuable in the post-high school experience academically or professionally, but they equip young adults personally as well.
“As an educator – this is year 17 for me – seeing kids that leave high school and never do theater again but leave with such powerful soft skills is the biggest value to what we do,” said Watkins.
A research study found in the Journal of Social Issues found that teenagers who participate in extracurricular activities had better academic outcomes than teenagers who had not. They also found that teenagers who participated in sports, school-based activities, and academic clubs were more likely to be enrolled in college full time at age 21. Participation in extracurricular activities also resulted in lower alcohol and drug use among teenagers.
Jason Drake, lead clinician and owner of Katy Teen & Family Counseling (KTFC), has witnessed a sharp uptick in rates of depression and anxiety-related disorders in their teenage clients like social anxiety, panic attacks, and school avoidance, particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the teens that KTFC works with are struggling with anxiety.
A Living Example
A scene from Maverick Theatre Company's production of "The Bully Show".
“Bullying is such a hot topic and it’s something that we need to be talking about and teaching at a young age so kids know what the warning signs are, know how to deal with it in an appropriate way and know how to get help if they need it,” said Joey Watkins, theatre director at Morton Ranch High school.
Through the theatre department at Morton Ranch High School, students are given a creative outlet that also provides a means of connecting with peers in meaningful ways. From forging friendships to helping each other with daily challenges like homework, these students, like many who participate in extracurricular activities, are directly benefitting from programs such as Maverick Theatre Company.
“I learned how to be myself without people judging me. Fine arts give you a sense of identity and it taught me how to grow and have interactions with other people that have the same similarities and beliefs as me. It made me extremely passionate and competitive, and I [decided to] push myself. I think that’s really important for college,” said Summer Lopez, a Morton Ranch High School student who plays the gameshow host in “The Bully Show”.
A scene from Maverick Theatre Company's production of "The Bully Show".
“This production means a lot to me. It’s very thoughtful and relatable. I want the kids to know that they can stand up and how to stand up through the language I use. I want the viewers to walk away knowing this is what bullying looks like and this is what I can do about it,” said Zoë Fruland, whose character is teased because of their name, much like Fruland has experienced offstage.
Going well beyond conventional entertainment value, Watkins and his student cast and crew are using this production as an opportunity for potentially life-changing community outreach. Long term, Watkins' greatest hope for the show is that attendees walk away from the show with the decision to start treating others differently and harness new tools to better deal with the issues that stem from bullying.
On how he hopes the show will make a difference for the student attendees after leaving their high school campus, “the immediate success would be creating an environment in a culture, in a classroom with a teacher where they can have a new conversation,” said Watkins.
How Katy ISD Fosters Creativity and Development Through Extracurriculars
From fine arts to FFA, Katy ISD is committed to providing district-approved, school-sponsored extracurricular programs to its students with a primary focus on the development of well-rounded citizens. These activities support learning through guided practice or leadership development by providing opportunities to use skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will help prepare students for their post-secondary experience.
Being involved in extracurricular activities also helps students become more accountable and responsible. Most extracurricular programs are subject to a “no pass, no play” policy enforced by the school district where students must meet certain attendance and performance criteria to participate in their chosen extracurricular activities. In addition, students are often held to a higher standard of accountability outside of the classroom, bringing the importance of bullying prevention full circle.
To learn more about the many programs offered by Katy ISD, visit their website. To watch a promo video for Maverick Theatre Company's production of "The Bully Show", click this link.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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