Garcia: High school students involved in extracurricular activities are better prepared for the future

Participating in athletics and activities builds confidence, collaboration and teamwork. It also helps them develop leadership skills, begin to learn the value of self-respect and earn the respect of others while learning time management skills to balance both academics and extracurricular activities. Participating in extracurricular activities enhances a child’s school career and helps them to prepare for their future.”

Cami Garcia, AJUSD Governing Board's vice president

When it comes to choosing a high school there are many factors that parents take into consideration.

We enroll our sons and daughters in schools that will provide high standards of learning. We recognize the important role education plays. As our children grow, there are other important factors to consider.

In Apache Junction there are many youth who engage in sports from an early age. Families gather to enjoy Parks and Recreation teams, as well as Little League, Black and Gold Football, and a variety of sports clubs.

Families with student-athletes want their sons and daughters to have the experience to play a sport that they enjoy --- even from the first time they are play on a team. The community of Apache Junction has always been a strong supporter of youth sports.

As a school district we emphasize the importance of learning with the expectation that each student who comes to us will graduate and be better prepared for the future.

We recognize that extracurricular activities are one piece of what completes a student’s educational experience with us.

As a governing board, we have supported the student-athletes, coaches, sponsors, families and administration in their pursuit of excellence

Playing sports and being involved in extracurricular activities can be an exciting part of a teenager’s high school career.

Our student athletes are pushed physically and challenged mentally to promote learning whether they are doing it on the field or in a classroom.

Throughout our school system our teachers and coaches are mentors who enstill the values of education in each student.

Research has proven that students who play sports and are involved in extracurricular activities are better prepared for the future.

Participating in athletics and activities builds confidence, collaboration and teamwork. It also helps them develop leadership skills, begin to learn the value of self-respect and earn the respect of others while learning time management skills to balance both academics and extracurricular activities. Participating in extracurricular activities enhances a child’s school career and helps them to prepare for their future.

Together as a governing board we want to welcome new coaches to the Apache Junction High School staff for the 2020-21 school year.

We share our excitement with the community as we have hired outstanding new coaches who will work with our student-athletes in football, baseball, basketball and soccer. These new coaches will be added to the roster of our existing dedicated coaching staff.

The coaching staff at Apache Junction High School devotes endless time to our athletes; they inspire them to be strong in and out of the classroom.

The governing board of Apache Junction Unified School District supports our students as they continue to excel in school.

As we plan this summer for opening schools in July we want the staff and students of AJUSD to know that we believe in each one of them and we are proud to be Prospectors and members of the extended Prospector community.

Editor’s note: Cami Garcia is AJUSD’s Governing Board's vice president. Go to ajusd.org.