The West Prairie Press

By Paxtyn Ford

Eighth grader Paxtyn Ford is a guest writer on the blog. Paxtyn shares his perspective on the importance of sports and why more students should consider getting involved. The school blog welcomes guest writers from all grade levels, and if you’re interested in contributing, talk to your English teacher to find out if they are offering extra credit for writing for the blog. (Some are!)

I play both baseball and basketball, and I’m also part of a travel baseball team. From my experience, I’ve learned how important it is to get involved in sports. Even if you’ve never played before, it’s worth trying—and if you don’t enjoy one sport, you can always try another. At West Prairie, not many students are currently participating in sports, and I think more people should consider joining.

Sports and Physical Health
Sports are one of the best ways to stay active and improve your physical health. They help build endurance and muscle, keep your weight in a healthy range, and reduce body fat. Playing sports also strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system, which boosts overall health and performance. These are just a few of the many physical benefits of participating in sports.

Sports and Mental Health
Sports aren’t just good for your body—they’re good for your mind too. Exercise helps reduce stress and tension, which is especially important for athletes. If you’re stressed, it’s hard to perform well because your mind is elsewhere. Sports can provide a healthy outlet and improve your overall mental state.

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
One reason more students don’t join sports is because they’re afraid of embarrassing themselves. But trying something new is part of the process—you don’t have to be perfect to play. Getting involved helps your school as well. For example, not many students in my class play baseball. With more players, our team could be stronger, and even those who don’t start can contribute by supporting their teammates and building a positive environment. Every role matters.

What Others Say About Sports
Here’s what some of my classmates and teachers had to say:

• 8th grader Ethan Percy: “Many people think that sports are a waste of time and hinder their ability to do schoolwork.”
• 8th grader Alice Heinzel: “It is good for children and young adults to do sports. It is a healthy way to stay in shape while making new friends and relationships. Doing sports can also give you something to do after school and you may begin to love the sport. It’s a good career if you love it and can go far with it.”
• 7th grade ELA teacher Mr. Okoh: “Sports teach lifelong skills such as teamwork, determination, and how to lose or win.”
• 7th and 8th grade science teacher Mr. Benson: “Organized sports are such great reflections of how life works. There are many truisms, like if you do hard work you can be successful. Sometimes you can do all the work you can do—or more—and still not be successful. Sometimes your best isn’t good enough.”
• 8th grader Kate Beck: “I think it’s important for people to stay active.”

Final Thoughts
Sports can make a difference in your physical health, your mental health, and your school community. Even if you’re not sure about joining, I encourage you to give it a try—you might discover a new passion, make new friends, and gain skills that will benefit you for life.