Out of the several extracurricular activities existing at John I. Burton, it seems only three are recognized by the local area: football, basketball, and baseball. These sports are constantly talked about among students and people in the community. There are several other competitions and sports that go seemingly unrecognized.
I interviewed two students who are state champions in forensics: Conner W. and Olivia D. I asked both students the same question: "Do you feel you are granted the recognition you deserve for being state champions?" They both replied with almost the exact same answer, "No. It's not as big of a deal as people would make it if it were football, basketball, or baseball." According the these students and many others, it seems state champions in other sports and competitions would be more glorified.
Many students in this school are unaware of recent state champions and state placers in numerous unrecognized sports. Representing the tennis team, Austin S., district champion and state qualifier said, "Programs such as: forensics, band, wrestling, scholastic bowl, tennis, track, and the swim team have been successful both recently and in the past, arguably as or even more successful than the big three sports teams. These successful teams don't get recognized and have to fund raise the majority of their funding. If the football team were this successful, everyone in the entire state would know, and their funding would be increased even more."
Located in the lobby, there is currently a large flat screen television displaying only football players. Athletes representing other sports are not displayed at all. Colby D., four-time wrestling state champion, and arguably the most successful athlete and definitely the most successful wrestler in John I. Burton's history, does not even have up to date information on his plaque. Furthermore, forensics championship plaques and band trophies are in unnoticeable places or not displayed at all in the lobby. Out of a variety of students that I interviewed, they all come to an agreement that "side sports" and other team competitors are not credited with the recognition they deserve.