Walking down the halls of SHS, you’ll see a plethora of students all with different personalities and habits.

As you walk past half-awake teens, you’re more than likely to pass a persona called Chad. 

Now, imagine this, Chad is a 6-foot-7 senior football player who struts along in the hallways, constantly causing havoc and always makes inappropriate jokes about freshmen.

He’s a teacher and student’s worst nightmare. 

Unfortunately for Chad, he isn’t a fan favorite. Everyone knows him as this “ego jock.” Many see him as stuck up and dumb. Because of this, he brings other athletes down with him. 

In my experience, I’ve noticed non-athletes judging athletes in a negative light. This is unfair to the majority of athletes who do not embody this Chad-like persona.  

Despite the label “jock,” most of us are the complete opposite of everyone’s assumptions.

Believe it or not, before people meet me, people say I seem intimidating which doesn’t make sense because I am very easygoing.

I, along with other SHS athletes, are not seen to our full potential. Many don’t know athletes are involved in more than just sports. 

Now, as you walk to fourth period and pass a thunderously loud Chad, beneath the ear-splitting noise walks a volleyball player, junior Billy Thang. 

Although Thang plays volleyball, he has so much more depth. He is Vice President of Key Club, and a part of Booster club, DECA, MSA, Spell Bowl and advanced orchestra. 

That’s not even discussing his academics. Thang takes six AP classes while maintaining a 4.4 GPA. 

Similar to Chad, there’s another football player who walks the halls. Senior Shakyra Maureedullah, while not on the traditional football team, but the unified flag football team. 

Maureedullah is quietly active in SHS, involved in unified sports, track and field and girls’ basketball. Not to mention the Black Student Union and SPTV.

Now Maureedullah, Thang and Chad all walk the same halls. But for Chad, he sometimes has things handed to him, taking away opportunities from others. 

Chad was nominated for the senior homecoming court though being chosen for various school awards in the past. 

Because of this, many of his peers do not agree with his induction. 

With Chad’s natural way of thinking, he believed he was going to win homecoming king. 

Unfortunately Chad’s ego got the best of him, and that crown was not his. Honestly, for the better, because it gives others a chance to shine instead of the “ego jocks”. 

Now, this isn’t meant to knock on any Chads or non-athletes. But as a diverse school, not everyone fits a certain stereotype and we all need to be mindful of others.