Students at De Soto are given many privileges that are nonexistent at other schools.

For example, we are able to be involved in a plethora of activities all at the same time. A sports participant can also be involved in the arts, Scholars Bowl, band and LITE team.

Still, even with this situation, there is a difference in favor and privileges between activities. Namely, the differences between the arts and sports.

Now, I do not understand all of these differences, such as college scholarships and other things, but I do know how these differences affect me and people like me involved with the arts: drama and choir specifically.

As a participant of these activities, I experience the privileges sports get first hand.

First, are the monetary contributions from schools. I do understand that sports brings in the most profit for the school through games and such, but I have recently been peeved by the latest additions to our school.

DHS got a new, full-sized gym, a large weight room, a cardio room, a wrestling room, trainer’s office and expanded locker rooms.

The only new addition the arts department is being given a black box theater. A black box theater is a small black room with a small stage and limited seating. It is meant for small theater productions.

I am irritated about this addition because it is the only addition given to the arts department, and it was a poor choice.

This decision is ridiculous because we already have a black box theater. Our main auditorium is already very small. When putting on a musical, it is rather difficult to fit the entire cast on our stage. We did not need a smaller theater, we needed a bigger one.

Another difference I have seen is a preference towards sports.

During my activities, theater to be exact, the participants in sports get more leniency than those not in sports.

I am glad that they are involved, but a big thing that bothers me is that they do not split their time evenly.

For example, many sports players that  are involved in a play or musical, miss musical practice daily because they are involved with their sport.

Of course they should go to their sports practice, but they should split their time equally between arts and sports, especially if they have an important part in the play or musical.

Not having a key member of the cast at rehearsal is just as harmful to a play as not having a member of the team at practice is to a sport.

Sports are important to a school, but so are the arts. Students from both divisions of the school bicker over which is more important or better worth peoples’ time. Though, without the arts we would not have our beloved movies, music and other entertainment we all enjoy.

The solution to this problem is communication and cooperation.

Coaches, sponsors and directors need to be in communication with each other about practices and games/meets/performances. Students should also be communicate as well.

Also, the above parties need to cooperate with each other. They need to understand that all students are important to all the activities and need to spend equal time at each.