"Hey are you going to the game tonight? Okay meet you there at 7:00." This is the type of conversation you can frequently overhear throughout the halls of El Segundo High School. At the same time, you'll rarely see any kind of hype for the diverse events the arts, including choir, drama, and band, have to offer to the school. I believe that most people are physically capable of dribbling a basketball or running a mile at different paces, but it takes a lot of training as well as courage for a person to step into the spotlight on stage and sing or dance. Many students attend El Segundo who are exceptionally talented and have a lot to offer to an audience. So why do we find the football stands bursting with bodies and still struggle to fill the 900-seat auditorium when show time comes around? It can be stated that El Segundo as a town generally supports the sports over the arts, although both skillful groups should be equally appreciated.

After speaking with several coaches, students, and the athletic directors, I find that El Segundo families and companies financially support the sports more than the performing arts. Danielle Clemmer, a junior at ESHS who participates on the water polo and swim teams acknowledges that, "There's obviously plenty of talent that could blossom at our school, but is cut off at the knees because the lack of focus and money put into the arts.” The arts have organized several fundraisers and events that were not successful due to lack of support and attendance. Two thousand dollars are taken out of the schools general fund and given to each sport to help with necessary costs. In addition the same amount of money is given to band, choir and drama. However the arts take place year round, while a single sport only lasts a season. The drama department particularly struggles supporting two drama classes, a fall production, comedy sportz, and the spring musical from the same account. These art programs deserve additional money during second semester to help with second semester lab fees, comedy sportz games and the musical production.

Senior and Varsity water polo player, Troy Swanson, believes that the arts and sports programs are "both very well off; they have wonderful instructors and coaches, but it just seems like the arts need to be publicized more." Perhaps the lack of publicity does reduce the amount of support the arts gain. Although you do find flyers hanging in the hallway about performances, the sports banners seem to get all the attention. But what about the pep rally's that occur each season? Why shouldn't the arts be exposed or applauded for their achievements at this time as well? The arts were neglected at the last pep rally when the request for an announcement about the Comedy Sportz home game was not granted. If we are going to have a pep rally we should honor and acknowledge all the hard working organizations that make up El Segundo High School.

It seems that only the athletes are recognized and admired by the student body for their skills. It's as though nobody realizes what it takes to be a performer, that it is hard work and should be respected just as much as a typical sportsperson. Senior Anthony Stier states, "We have an incredible amount of talented students both physically and artistically. Although, it is sad to see that certain activities are overshadowed when they too deserve the attention that other activities are receiving." We are all soaring Eagles that deserve an equal amount of respect.

On a positive note, the students of ESHS are fortunate to have access to both sports and arts programs which give them a chance to find their niche. My only request is that both are fully supported by the people who make up this school. Maybe attitudes will change when the construction of the Music building is completed, which the art students are very thankful for. Thespian Club also looks forward to the Talent Show this year on April 9, 2004, and hopes that it will bring students and faculty of different interests together to support each other.