Katie+Formal+Essay+2

The comparative contrast essay was my favorite. I talked about the differences and simialrities between athletes and muscicans in high school. I chose this topic because my younger brother and sister fall into each category. My brother plays the drums and my sister is extremely athletic. This essay is based upon my point of view. Watching my siblings enter high school,join different cliques, and be treated differently made me want to take the time to really think about why.

Cleats and Drum Sticks Perception is everything in high school. The way others see a person decides what crowd he or she eventually fall in to. Whether it be the “queen be” or the “nerd”, everyone joins a clique. Allison and Michael, my little brother and sister, are both currently in high school, yet they have chosen different paths. Allison is an athlete, and Michael plays the drums in the marching band. They have almost identical fun- loving, outgoing personalities. However, they are viewed in different ways based on the activities to which they chose to dedicate their time. The idea that athletes are better than band students is one that needs to be erased from the teenage mind. Both sports and marching band require skill and hard work. They are both challenging in their own, unique way and should be given the same amount of respect and admiration. My sister, the basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey star, practices every day for about two to three hours. Practices are physically exhausting and held to perfect muscle memory and master a specific technique. In order to be the best, she participates in running and form drills, which requires a great amount of stamina. Playing sports requires players to make quick, smart decisions. Athletes need quality communication in order for teammates to pull together. Whether it is to receive a pass or move to the right position, without communication the game would fall apart. My brother, the drummer, works equally as hard to reach his full potential. Marching band practices last about three to four hours. They are not necessarily physically tiring, but they can be mentally draining. Memorizing every note, sound, and beat, while also keeping up with the formation of walking and turning, is much harder than one might think. Band students also make quick decisions, just in a different way. They must move and adjust their fingers and mouths to keep up with the music. If they cannot, the song is ruined. Communication is another factor that is very important to band students, just as it is to athletes. Musicians use non- verbal communication to know when to start a piece, become louder during a song, and time every step of a marching band routine exactly on point. Although sports players and instrumentalists use communication in different forms, the overall purpose is the same; to work together. Socially in high school, sports players and band students are seen in very different lights. Athletes are often perceived as “godlike” thanks to the stereotype given by the media. This explains why in high school, the outstanding sport players are usually a part of the “popular crowd.” My sister belongs to the group of friends other kids in the school dream of even talking to. Athletes thrive off the public’s desire for competition and sports, which is why athletes often think they are better than others. This way of thinking is a product of society producing movies such as “__Mean Girls__ and __10 Things I Hate About You__”, which show athletes as all-American, well-liked teenagers. In the movies, rude and obnoxious behavior displayed by sports players is overlooked and dismissed. These actions are responsible for bullying and social “status” in the high school setting. The superficial ego that is created by sports hype can make athletes believe they are privileged and above others. It also makes them think they can walk all over other people, without consequences, simply because they can shoot a basketball or throw a football. Although I do not see these qualities in my sister, they are present in many high school athletes’ attitudes. The idea that it is acceptable for athletes to treat others with little respect is one that must be changed. It is displayed in movies and reflects on the high

school environment. Regardless of an athlete’s moral standards and the type of person that lies underneath the jersey, he or she are accepted and looked up to. Michael and other musicians seem to fall at the other end of the social ladder during high school. They are referred to as “band geeks” and seem to get no respect from their peers. Why? Once again, the media plays a big part in the labeling of musicians. Popular movies about high school, like “__High School Musical__” always show band students as unusual, socially awkward, yet highly-intelligent. This image is then reflected upon all band members unjustly. The labels are responsible for the looks of disapproval or distaste given when my brother says, “I’m in the marching band.” and the looks of admiration my sister receives when she says, “I play on the varsity basketball team.” The social aspect of band effects students by making them feel inferior to athletes. The image of high school and social status that has been bestowed by society has made marching band students feel as if they are not as special or talented as athletes. This attitude is unfair and the feeling of being less important is not deserved. Musicians are just as talented and work just as hard as athletes. Therefore, they should receive the same amount of respect and admiration given to the players on the field or court without a second thought. Performing is an art- whether it be in a game or a concert. Dedication is required in both band and sports. These two activities involve hours of preparation and hard work. They may have different approaches and techniques, but overall, they are both using teamwork to meet a common goal and strive for perfection and nothing less.