At 2:50 the school bell rings and students rush out of their classrooms and flood the hallways. Although the school day is over, it is not the end for the students involved in extracurricular activities.

Students involved in school activities spend many hours after school. The busiest of students may even spend up to 25 hours a week after school.

Junior Jack Ayres is included of those students who may spend up to 25 hours a week in school activities. Ayres is often at school until 6 or 7 p.m. and arrives to school an hour early in the morning for his activities. He stays involved with student council, debate, band, relay for life, national honors society(NHS), Spanish national honors society (SNHS), and categories.

 

Theatre students attend practice for their musical production.

“During the fall, I have so many things going on,” Ayres said. “In the spring, it isn’t as bad, but I’m challenged with learning how to juggle so many different activities.”

Southwest offers over 35 activities and athletics for student participation throughout the course of the school year. Many students participate in multiple clubs at one time. Typically, school activities can last from one up to four hours after school each day. Students learn to manage their time between homework and the multiple activities that they’re involved with.

“School activities have taught me to keep a calendar which has helped me be more aware of what I have going on and when it is,” Senior Megan Becker said. “It has helped to prioritize and delegate things.”

Becker is president of student council and involved with NHS, SNHS, and mentoring year round and volleyball, swimming, and math team seasonally.

Not only do students put their time in school activities, but teachers do as well. Each school activity needs at least one teacher sponsor to exist. The teacher sponsors relate to the students with the necessity of managing their time. StuCo sponsor Lynda LaPlant spends up to 20 hours on StuCo during a busy week.

“Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming, but it has taught me to be a better manager of my time,” LaPlant said. “I want to set a good example for the students.”

Teachers realize many hours that students put into school activities. Students have different ways of managing their time to ensure their success.

“I think it’s important that students figure out what’s important to them,” LaPlant said. “They have to balance their club demands with their academic and social demands.”

For more information on specific activities and athletics visit http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=277