Playing a sport can take up most, if not all, of a person’s free time. When it comes down to the decision of choosing between social events and sporting events, it can be a hard decision.

Softball player Kayla Sowers has had to miss multiple school functions because of her dedication to her sport.

“I have had to give up a lot of social events during season. During high school season, I miss dances, rallies and even school. We have to make up a lot of homework,” Sowers said.

She thinks it is unfair that sporting events and school functions overlap. For example, Sowers was unable to go to the Sadie’s rally or the Sadie’s dance last year.

“We shouldn’t even have to make a choice in the first place. Thing should be planned so that every student can make every game and every dance and all the events,” Sowers said.

Tennis player Austin Lee, on the other hand, said missing events is just something that comes along with being a committed athlete.

“I signed up for tennis knowing it would be my first priority. Missing dances and stuff isn’t that big of a deal to me,” Lee said.

Basketball player Shelbi Meyer believes it requires students to “dig deep” to decide which is more important in the long-run.

“I couldn’t go to Junior Prom last year because I had a tournament. I weighed all the pros and cons and I realized that if I want to play in college, I’d need the tournament more than I would need prom,” Meyer said.

For Meyer, basketball is worth it because she will be playing at Sonoma State next year.

Meyer said, “I got a scholarship to a great school and I really like what I’m doing. If I had to make the choice again, I would still choose basketball.”

by ABI BROOKS