Arrowhead High School. The thoughts that pop into one’s head that didn’t attend the infamous school probably include: The University of Arrowhead, athletics, money and snobs.
Yet, the thoughts of the people that attend, graduated or live within the community are: hard work, dedication and most importantly One Team.
The assumption that is attached to Arrowhead’s image is that winning comes effortlessly. However, what many fail to mention is the mass amount of work that comes along with the wins. Also, why is it that our academics are looked over? They are nothing to snub our noses at.
Yeah, we’re good at sports, but who says we don’t work for it?
With a background of winning, we recognize what’s expected of us and have a lot to live up to. With the reputation that Arrowhead obtains, it requires a lot more than just luck to keep it, contrary to popular belief.
On any given day after school, whether it’s sunny, raining or even snowing, you can spot a handful of athletes working out to keep in shape for season. Its in our blood to constantly be pushing ourselves.
Walking in door 15 on a weeknight, or even in the morning before school, you are guaranteed to find at least one team occupying the gym space and the weight room. Always trying there hardest to be the best.
“You have a high enrollment, of course you’re good at sports, you have so much talent.”
True. This isn’t something I or anyone else can deny. We aren’t compared to a small Division III college, or dubbed with the name University of Arrowhead, for nothing. Yes, we have two different campuses both housing around 1,400 students. However, that doesn’t mean the students put in any less of an effort. If anything, it forces them to put in more.
Take football for example, because we all know how much everyone loves to throw that in our faces. On the varsity team alone there are give or take 130 boys participating that are fighting for starting spots. Try and tell me how that doesn’t naturally breed competition. When it comes down to it, it’s the athlete that puts in the time and the heart that gets the playing time.
With such a high enrollment, athletes are forced to be best they can be.
We’re despised for the wealth in our community and nice facilities, but why?
Are we truly to blame for where our parents decided to raise us? Is it our fault that our parents worked hard for what they earned and want to give back to our community? No. No it’s not.
We are very fortunate to say we grew up in such an amazing community. It’s a feeling I can’t put into words.
It's no secret that funding for public education is about 10 percent federal, 40 percent state and 50 percent from local property taxes. In our school district, there are nine lakes. Common knowledge tells us that houses on lakes are valued higher, thus increases their property taxes. Due to the mass amounts of lakes and high property taxes, our school receives a larger amount of funding.
Our new locker rooms? Yes, they are incredible. However the renovation was long overdue. It’s often overlooked that the infrastructure was in bad shape. We had air conditioning issues and wanted to improve the space. The extra design to make it comparable to a college locker room was a “gift” to inspire the athletes.
We’re hated on for our parents doing well in life. Are we more privileged than some? Yes. However don’t disclude the people in our community that are struggling. We aren’t perfect, and never will be.
What about our academics??
News Flash: our high school doesn’t only revolve around sports. So quit pushing away our other achievements.
Around 55 percent of our students take at least one AP course. Being ranked fourth in Wisconsin isn’t something that simply happens. And within Wisconsin, we have one of the highest average composite ACT scores (25.1)
The Washington Post once again recognized us as one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools. We were also placed on the Annual AP District Honor Roll.
With being one of the America’s Most Challenging High Schools, we still maintain a graduation rate of 96.6 percent compared to the state average of 85.7 percent and we keep our truancy rate as low as 0.5 percent, with the state average at 8.7 percent.
So stop. Stop badgering us for our success and stop pushing away our hard work.
Yes, Arrowhead is known for our dominance in sports, however the biggest thing failed to mention is the dedication that is put in to be the best.
You don’t have to love us, or even like us. The least you can do is respect us.
No longer will I be hesitant to tell someone where I went to high school. I will look them in the eye and proudly state that I am, and always will be, an Arrowhead Warhawk.
Because it’s always a great day to be a Warhawk.
