Trophies, metals, and plaques are handed to kids at the end of each sport season for participation. Some people think that giving them these items give kids false hope, but I think that this hope is something kids need to succeed.

Giving these kids trophies for participation will give them confidence to succeed when they grow older. When the trophies are not given out for participation, they will already know the feeling of earning one and try harder to achieve it the next time.

Also when these kids are young, they are more sensitive. Not giving them a trophy because they didn’t win would discourage them from playing the sport or participating in the activity.

Knowing that they will receive a trophy at the end of the season for just participating will make kids stick with their sport. It will teach them not to quit; it will give them something to work for.

What happened to the saying, “Winning isn’t everything?”

If kids feel like they have to win to receive any positive recognition, they are going to carry that with them for the rest of their lives. They are going to become people who only think about themselves and what would be in it for them in a situation.

Recognition in high school is minimal compared to when we were kids. We receive recognition for academic success such as in Advanced Placement classes, but that’s primarily because it’s funded by AAIMS. We do not have a valedictorian or prom king and queen.

Not every student is equal. I think that these “trophies” are needed, so students feel like they have something to work for, like they learned when they were young.

While some may believe that giving kids and students “false” hope will only ruin their future, I believe that people need to have hope in life, so they feel like someone out there is supporting them.

Giving kids and students this hope will only improve the way they perform and look at life.