Let's Craft Academic Excellence From Our Sports Pages

On any given day, America’s newspapers inform us of events around the world and in our own backyard. Many carry sections devoted to business, entertainment, food, and sports. What is noticeably absent is news of the academic and scholastic world.

That is not to say that America’s newspapers fail to report the dearth of students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. We also read that America’s colleges and universities report many incoming first year students are unprepared for collegiate level studies and must accomplish remedial academic work before beginning their college career.

Another collegiate concern is that graduation may take five or six years, which incurs additional financial burdens. Such expense may prove insurmountable and many promising students leave school prematurely. Meanwhile, recent studies show that in Texas, the number of non-high school graduates taking the General Educational Development (GED) test fell by almost 38% in the past 15 years, from more than 63,500 to fewer than 40,000. Whether you focus on the collegiate situation or the students never completing high school, our communities and our nation must inspire and motivate young students’ academic success today to ensure a more promising future.

Recognize the demands of scholarship

Across our community, there are countless teachers, administrators and parents confronting that challenge every day. Their commitment to their students’ success is without peer. But what more can be done? I would urge newspapers across the nation to publish a section dedicated to news of academic and scholastic achievement, much as they do sports. In sports pages we learn of gifted athletes, the value of practice and teamwork, and the coaches that bring it all together to succeed. Don't our young scholars merit the same recognition?

Imagine the impact on students competing in debate tournaments, science fairs, or orchestra recitals to read of their success in the local paper. Too often we fail to recognize the commitment, perseverance and teamwork needed to succeed academically. We lose sight of the dedication of teachers instilling in their students the curiosity to learn, the knowledge that they can better their best, and that hard work and perseverance create the conditions for success in class and in life. We overlook the hours of study, testing, trial & error, rehearsal and practice demanded of students to compete in any academic field. Is that not worthy of public recognition too?

Imagine the delight, the self-confidence, and the motivation a student would reap if they read in their newspaper an acknowledgement of their hard work, the long hours, and selfless dedication of those that helped achieve that success. We know of young and aspiring athletes with scrapbooks full of their accomplishments. Would a young scholar not cherish similar recognition? Such acknowledgement also affirms the selfless dedication of teachers and parents who encouraged, tutored, and inspired.

"Scholars & Academics" in the paper? Really?

Yes, I am suggesting a section in the newspaper devoted to academic and scholastic achievement much like the sports pages. But, how? Leverage existing journalists in our schools and colleges. Invite them to contribute. Take advantage of businesses, foundations, and other institutions awarding competitive scholarships to identify the best and the brightest. Solicit corporate support to make this a reality. Businesses offering internships, apprenticeships, or scholarships and those willing to bring students into their innovation labs, their test ranges, and research facilities could be highlighted and this may create the spark that lights a student’s imagination and lifelong curiosity.

And much like the sports pages, let’s not limit this to young people. Embrace undergraduate and graduate level achievement. Recognize national and international accomplishments of local students of advanced studies. If Rhodes Scholars or National Merit Scholars were acknowledged in a distinct section of the newspaper, then more young students with a penchant for caring for pets, painting in the brightest colors, or staying outside late at night to track the stars may be inspired to persevere to become the ones to cure cancer, craft a new art form, or become the first to walk the surface of a distant planet.

Proclaim academic excellence

Much like the athletes that amaze us with their speed, grace, and talent, let’s take a step to be equally amazed by the imagination, creativity, and commitment demanded of those students pursuing academic and scholastic excellence. Too often, those that strive in academic or scholarly anonymity do not realize the impact their hard work, commitment, and dedication have on our future. From their ranks come our future scientists, doctors, nurses, craftsmen, attorneys, teachers, artists, musicians, and so many others who craft our culture and our society. Let’s encourage them. Let’s recognize them. They deserve nothing less.