The answer to this question appears to be: yes.
   The reasons for this conclusion? There are several. To begin with, the results of various
games from the previous day or week are recounted, often in elaborate detail, every other day during Convocation. Bulletin boards along every hallway are adorned with photographs, schedules, and newspaper clippings pertaining to school sports. On game days, team members wear their jerseys over their school uniforms. And, at the end of the year, the sports department holds a formal and fancy sports banquet in a downtown hotel dining room, catered by the dining staff.
   Now, one should not conclude that this particular editor has overlooked the praises given for outstanding academic performance. Indeed, when the school participates in events such as the French competitions, the Academic Festival, and Mathcounts, the members are given due recognition. And the bulletin boards and Convocations do not ignore such achievements, either. However, there are some glaring discrepancies.
   In contrast to the sports banquet, last year's academic awards night was held in the school gymnasium, with folding tables and Publix snacks. While players' trophies are personalized, the academic medallions last year said only, "Honors for Excellence" - nothing on the medallion itself indicated the class, the date, or the student's name. For that information, one had to refer to the accompanying certificate. Naturally, a great many people went to great lengths to orchestrate the evening, what with setting up the stage and tables and whatnot, and their generosity and consideration did not go unnoticed; but it is difficult not to see the difference between the two ceremonies as a slap in the face to the students who apply themselves to their studies as a good football player applies himself to the game.
   The purpose of this article is not to demand that sports be ignored, or dismissed as an unnecessary activity outside of schoolwork. Athletic activity is an integral part of the school day, and is in fact mentioned in this school's mission statement. However, part of the goal of a learning institution is to encourage a love of learning, and this motivation does not always come from within the student. Yes, in an ideal world, the knowledge gained in school should be reward enough in and of itself, but for a great number of kids, that's not a realistic concept. If there is little or no immediate reason for a student to learn and to earn good grades, then they won't always be interested in doing so. It's not enough to say, "Get good grades so you can get into a good college." This is a far-off, abstract idea at this age; there should be a more immediate motivation. The sports figures are given much recognition; they are popular; they are rewarded publicly, every day, for doing well. Shouldn't things be the same for the ones with the glowing report cards?

by Raoul Duke, Vulture Editor