February 24th, 2025

Story by Maya, a Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate & Vocational School (KCI) student

In high schools across the Waterloo Region District School Board, there seems to be an extracurricular activity for everyone. Whether it is a sports team, club, council, or performance opportunity, schools have greatly increased student activities outside the classroom.

School staff often strongly encourage students to join one or more of these activities to try new things and expand on current hobbies and interests. There are several other advantages in getting involved with a school community and these benefits can extend to post-secondary school.

WRDSB student Maya shares personal reflections on the benefits of student extracurricular activities.

I am eager to share some of my own experiences with being a part of various extracurriculars throughout high school, as they have all contributed to creating profound impacts in diverse areas of my life.

I have been a member of an assortment of activities offered at my school. One year, I joined the cross country and track and field teams. Another year, I auditioned and was cast in the annual variety show, as well as the school’s spring production. I have also written and edited the school newspaper.

Each of my extracurricular experiences have been both rewarding and incredibly valuable. For instance, the majority of the friends I made in high school came from my cross country participation. Prior to joining this team, I was struggling with adjusting to a brand new school, I did not have many friends yet, and was quite afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone. This is why I was pleasantly surprised to have been embraced so enthusiastically by the community of runners I connected with.

Each individual cross-country runner was polite, outgoing, and consistently encouraging, which made it effortless for me to establish lasting friendships. This was essential and had a deep impact on me as a new and fairly inexperienced runner. As an example, throughout the cross-country season, I struggled with low self-esteem and confidence. The continuous support from my teammates was what truly made our running community special.

Although I have not been an active member of the team since the start of my Grade 9 year, I continue to reflect positively on the experience and what came of it. I also remain close friends with a large number of individuals that I met through the sport.

My extracurricular experiences have also drastically improved my self-confidence. For example, being a member of two KCI production casts. Although I was involved in the school’s arts program through taking two drama classes, having the opportunity to perform live in front of large audiences was not only exhilarating, but furthered my personal growth.

While I certainly felt anxious prior to stepping on the stage and playing unique roles, the confidence and trust I gained in myself and my abilities was immense, and has translated into other aspects of my life. I am now able to approach public speaking in a calmer and more relaxed manner, and I credit my past performance experiences for giving me this skill.

Another benefit I have noticed through the several extracurriculars I have been a part of is increased opportunities to be creative. KCI’s student-run newspaper, The Edge, has become a creative outlet for me, allowing me to expand my writing abilities, express myself, and enhance my leadership skills.

Participation in extracurricular activities teaches valuable skills; forms friendships and meaningful connections; encourages personal growth; increases confidence; and much more – all of which can be applied and expanded on in other aspects of life.

The main takeaway from this is, if you are ever considering joining an extracurricular, whether it be a sports team, club, or anything else, just go for it! If you experience some nerves when trying new things, take comfort in knowing many others feel the same way. Take a look at the extracurricular activities your school has to offer to find the right one(s) for you.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student and is part of the Student Agency and Voice program. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.