Arts Vs. Sports

For decades in Hollywood movies, you always see a lunch table where the artsy kids are separated from the football jocks, the music kids from the basketball students, and even the theater kids from the cheerleaders. However, are arts and sports as separated from each other as society perceives them to be? 

Here at WA, students have ample opportunities to participate in the arts, ranging from band to film. In addition, the school runs around 18 varsity sports, ranging from track and field to ultimate frisbee. One of WA’s requirements to graduate is to take a semester of arts, whether performing or visual, and there are ample courses to choose from. Moreover, with these choices, students have a reasonably easy time balancing the arts and sports, which they are extremely passionate about. 

Michael Jones-Bey ‘24 is a wrestler with an intense passion for music. He also started a nonprofit called Harmonious Hearts to teach kids music. Compared to his old school, he feels WA has a deep appreciation and compassion for the arts and a robust athletic division.

“[You all] have an entire building dedicated to the arts, and I think that really adds to the school’s identity, such as a branch of new classes and programs,” Michael said. “As for wrestling, it’s like a great community and very supportive.”

Film teacher and Cross Country Track Coach Nicholas Widener, who is also an alumni of the Class of ‘09, also claims that arts and sports go hand in hand with each other. As a student at WA, he participated in track along with pursuing his passion for photography. He believes that participating in both throughout his high school and college years made him a better teacher, coach, and person overall. 

“What you put into your athletics shows up in your artistic discipline,” Widener said. 

Although Julia Moss ‘25 takes ceramics and plays school soccer at an intense level, she does not feel burdened by both disciplines. Instead, she feels more relaxed and like herself.

“I look forward to ceramics class every day. It’s the time of day when I can not care about academics and just relax,” Julia said. “Soccer is also something I do that is a good break from school.”

Although each can be practiced as a separate discipline, sports can also have an artistic element to it. Jenny Gould, a dance teacher in the Upper School, emphasizes how sports and arts are more connected than people perceive them to be. She explains that dance is an athletic art that takes creativity, strength, and willingness to express your vulnerability under the spotlight. In addition, she expresses how the arts are crucial for athletes to perform well in their games. 

“There were like football players [that] used to come to take ballet,” Gould said. “So I think people realize that because art [is] a universal language, and that [is] why I love dancing.”

Dean Anthony Thomas, who not only plays trumpet but also coaches basketball, expresses that these two contrasting activities both emphasize discipline and perseverance. Furthermore, he does not believe that one form of extracurricular is better than the former. Instead, he believes people should find and stick with a passion.

“Everyone has their own opinion, and I won’t argue with either opinion,” Thomas said. “I simply ask that everyone respect each other’s craft and enjoy the show!