Alright guys, let’s play a fun game.
What was the name of the team at our school who recently won their fifth national championship in a row, making them the best in the country?
WS Dance Team!
And where are their trophies?
Not at WS!
The Dance Team is one of our school’s top teams. They represent WS as national champions, and are known for having been on America’s Got Talent, a nationally broadcasted TV show. We are all proud to say that they go to our school and are happy to incorporate their reputation for greatness with our own, so shouldn’t we show some appreciation and provide them with a place to keep their trophies?
Currently, the trophies are being kept at Dance team coach Tara Perez’s home; which, to me, seems like the last place they should be. These trophies should be on display for all to see. The dance team puts up to twenty hours a week of hard work and effort into achieving these accomplishments, and I think the school as a whole should reward them for it.
As a club, the dance team is affiliated with the school. Technically, the team isn’t an officially school sponsored sport, giving the school a “reasonable argument” for not providing them with trophy case space, even though other teams that are not sports have had their trophies showcased here before. The Forensics team, for example, has had its trophies on display. The WSDT may not technically be a school sport, but can you tell me of one other team at our school who has done as well or accomplished as much as them in recent years? I didn’t think so.
That being said, I’m not trying to discredit other teams or groups here at WS. We have a variety of great sports, clubs and academic teams that represent us proudly with their many achievements. The students involved get to show off their hard work and commitment to their craft at every level of competition, and anyone who has ever competed in anything should know how important it is to be appreciated.
If the argument is that we don’t have enough trophy space, rotate the trophies. If anyone objects to that, build new trophy cases. And if anyone argues that by saying we don’t have the money or space, we can make money, and find space. The West Springfield Dance Team and every other team from our school deserve to be appreciated (and to show-off a little too).