Naperville Central is a school that takes pride in school spirit. Packed bleachers at football games, announcements for sectional championships, pep rallies with booming music and a sea of red and white, it’s easy to see how much the school supports athletics.

But what about everything else?

While athletes get Friday night lights and a hype video on Instagram, students in programs like theatre, speech, robotics and journalism often work just as hard, just as long and receive a fraction of the recognition.

It’s not just about applause. It’s about visibility. Student performers can spend months preparing for a show or competition and never see a schoolwide announcement. Speech team members regularly wake up at 5 a.m. to compete on Saturdays. Student journalists spend hours fact-checking, interviewing and designing for each issue of the Central Times. And let’s not forget the tech crews, musicians, coders, debaters and artists who pour energy into their craft without expecting a spotlight, but who absolutely deserve one.

The message this imbalance sends, even if it’s unintentional, is clear: some passions are more valuable than others.

To be clear, this isn’t about putting down athletics. I’ve been on the basketball team since freshman year, and I throw shot and disc for track. I love the rush of a tight game, the grind of practice, the team dinners and inside jokes. Sports have taught me how to push through pressure, how to show up for my teammates, how to win and lose with respect.

But outside of the gym, I’ve found that same kind of connection and growth in student activities. I’ve stayed up late revising articles, worked through disagreements in staff meetings, and chased down quotes like they were game-winning plays. I’ve seen artists spend hours perfecting one brushstroke, musicians rehearsing the same passage over and over, and speech kids reworking their pieces until every word hits. That’s dedication. That’s teamwork.

So why is it that when a team wins a regional, it’s on the announcements, in the newsletter, and hyped up online, but when a club takes state, it barely gets a mention?

Central has always branded itself as a place where students can “find their thing.” But when only some “things” are publicly celebrated, it creates a culture where students in non-athletic spaces feel invisible. School spirit should include everyone, not just the ones in jerseys.

Football and basketball naturally draw bigger crowds. That’s not the issue. The issue is when only sports get attention, and everything else gets overlooked.

But recognition doesn’t have to mean packing the stands. There are way more realistic ways to give activities their moment. Shout them out on the announcements. Post about the robotics team’s win or the spring musical on the school’s Instagram. Hang posters in the halls that celebrate more than just game days. Let clubs design spirit wear or decorate lockers. Maybe even host a pep rally that includes performances from different groups, not just athletes.

It’s not about forcing everyone to love every activity. It’s about making people feel seen. Giving students credit for the work they do, on stage, behind the scenes, in competition rooms, wherever. That’s how we build a school culture that actually supports everyone.

There’s no shortage of student excellence at Central. What’s missing is the schoolwide recognition of that excellence across all areas. Imagine the difference it would make if every student felt like their work mattered as much as a winning touchdown.