BHS students involved in extra-curricular activities excel in classroom
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff writer
Wondering just how much participating in extra-curricular activities benefits students, Burlington High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Eric Plitzuweit decided to run the numbers recently.
What he found is stunning. While non-participants have an average grade-point average of 2.77, students participating in extra-curricular activities (514 students so far this school) have a GPA of 3.45.
The National Federation of State High School Associations has taken the stance that interscholastic sports promotes citizenship and sportsmanship.
Apparently, it also helps athletes be better students in the student-athlete equation.
“I feel there’s a direction correlation,” said Plitzuweit. “I think its time management. It’s part of requirements for our students to participate that they have to maintain certain levels in the classroom.
“Our student-athletes value participating.”
And of the 514 students involved in extra curriculars, Plitzuweit said there have been a total of just three students forced to sit-out due to grades this year. Students must maintain a 1.67 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA.
“We feel we’re doing a great job,” he said. “Would it be great if we had zero? Absolutely.”
One of those who doesn’t have to worry about even being close to not participating is Neal Miller, a two-sport athlete, a standout in both football and wrestling.
Miller, who is a candidate for Class of 2012 valedictorian, said it’s all about maintaining a balance. He is also one of 10 seniors on the team, which have a cumulative GPA of 3.86.
Miller has been accepted at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Oshkosh and Eau Claire, where he hopes to major in construction management with a business minor.
He also applied to the United States Naval Academy.
“You just kind of got to learn to prioritize your day,” Miller said. “You have to go to practice after school, and after practice, you have to go home and do your homework.
“It’s really about getting your priorities straight and managing your time well.”
It doesn’t hurt, he added, that he loves competition.
“I consider myself a competitive person,” he added. “I want to do well and become the best at what I do. School isn’t always fun, but at the same time, it’s rewarding to see your work pay off.”
Junior Kaysie Shebeneck, who has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked in the top 20 in her class, has the added pressure of being an open-enrollment student, which means she comes from Racine and has a 30-minute commute on top of her already busy day.
She has given a verbal commitment to Texas A&M to play volleyball, and helped lead BHS to its first-ever state team title this past fall.
Shebeneck said grades were just another part of her commitment to her team.
“I really focus on my grades,” Shebeneck said. “Being part of a team, you have a commitment to your teammate.
“You kind of push yourself to strive for the best.”
By the numbers
Burlington High School Athletic Director Eric Plitzuweit broke down the grade point averages by sport for each season so far.
Fall sports:
• Boys soccer, 3.10
• Boys volleyball, 3.40
• Cross country, 3.58
• Cheerleading, 3.40
• Football, 3.27
• Girls golf, 3.53
• Girls swimming, 3.66
• Girls tennis, 3.57
• Girls volleyball, 3.71
• Dance team, 3.62
Winter sports:
• Boys basketball, 3.41
• Girls basketball, 3.74
• Wrestling, 3.42
• Gymnastics, 3.52 (counting only the Burlington athletes on the cooperative team).
• Boys swimming, 2.94
• Dance team, 3.62
• Cheerleading, 3.40
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