Healthy Competition

As far as competitions go, this was a big week for The Beech Hill School.  The MathCounts team hosted a math competition, the faculty were competing in Faculty Jeopardy, the whole school participated in the stackers competition, we crowned a Spelling Bee champion – congratulations Lennon! – and our climbing team was competing in the second contest of the winter season on Saturday.

 

Philosophically, I believe that competitions are a good thing – they provide a forum for individuals to test themselves, and, hopefully, are enjoyable.  The MathCounts competition this week was a perfect example of this, as almost 30 students from different schools came to BHS on Thursday afternoon to test their math acumen.  After students put forth their best effort to answer 30 demanding questions in 40 minutes, they all hung out together, eating pizza, Oreos and animal crackers.  Awards were given, but what mattered most was that a bunch of middle schoolers got a chance to push themselves – not for a grade – but for the joy of the challenge.  Throughout the event, there were no tears, no taunts, and no yelling or jeers.  There were, however, smiles, congratulations, and gratitude.

 

When done well, competitions of any sort are great avenues for community building.  By their very nature, competitions require numerous participants.  When competitors join together in a common pursuit of excellence, it is something to see.  Especially when that pursuit is undergirded by respect.  Such was the case this week at BHS.  I watched as students cheered on their classmates, when competitors shook hands and hugged after competitions and witnessed the awestruck faces of students that watched as their peers accomplished great feats.

 

Unfortunately, competition is too often associated with boorish and brutish behaviors.  From parents and coaches mistreating others, to students putting undo pressure on themselves, and more – competition can sometimes be taken too far.

 

I am pleased to report that our community is a better place because our students have the chance to compete in a safe and healthy manner.  Congratulations to all the individuals that participated in, organized, or simply made possible the opportunity for BHS students to test themselves and to enjoy the pleasures of this week’s competitions.

The Beech Hill School does not discriminate in its hiring, admissions policies, financial aid policies, educational policies, or the administration of school-related programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, gender, disability, or ethnic origin. The Beech Hill School is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity.