Anderson’s Artistic Athletes

AHS students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities offered, including both performing arts and athletics

Participation in both high school performing arts and athletics is on the rise after a drastic decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several shared benefits can be learned from both performing arts and athletics, including: hard work, determination, time management, leadership, teamwork, and skill development.

“[Band and Cross Country] make me good at managing my time to find out when I can do homework and still participate in my activities,” Caleb Horner (12), AHS Cross Country runner and Snare Drum player, said.

Time management is a common theme among student-athletes who are also involved in some form of performing arts at school.

“I am a student before I am an athlete, so making sure I am staying on top of homework and studying for tests and quizzes [comes first],” Stella Frye (11), member of the Dance team and Chamber Choir, said.

Athletes have varying ways of excelling in their respective performing arts as well as their sport.

“I take my violin home on weekends to practice. I know I have to go to [cross country] meets, but I know I need to make time to practice,” Josie Liening (10), Violinist and Cross Country runner, said.

Conversely, some athletes solely participate in performing arts during the school day.

“It helps that the choir doesn’t have any after-school practices…I can participate during the day,” Frye (11) said.

Both performing arts and sports help build a positive culture and positive relationships in high school. This can lead to a positive impact on students’ college/career paths.

“I think [students] want to get involved in a lot of things. I’ve made a lot of my friends [in band],” Horner (12) said.

However, student-athletes involved in performing arts deal with many challenges.

“It definitely gets hard, [at football games] I’m dancing one second, and then I have to run and get in my spot to sing [the National Anthem],” Frye (11) said.

Despite the challenges, more and more students are finding themselves getting more involved in their school, often in the form of arts and athletics, as well as finding time to appreciate other extracurricular activities here at Anderson.

“Performing arts are a great way to show self-expression, whether that’s through orchestra, band, choir, or theatre. We have a great theatre program. I think everybody should go watch one of the shows. There is always something for everybody, especially in [theatre]. If you are interested in [technical skills], there’s always something you can do, even if it’s not performing,” Frye (11) said.

Sports and performing arts are great ways for anyone to become involved in their school. There are plenty of opportunities to check out the numerous clubs and extracurricular activities here at Anderson High School. It is a great way to make new friends and connections, as well as to set people up for success in the future.