As much as there can be opportunities for students to be recognized for hard work, there are also instances where students are behind the scenes working just as hard. This can be by choice through less spotlight-based work, like work that isn’t outwardly presented as in technical theatre, tutoring or volunteering.
Behind what can seem like a successful student, one keeping up good grades and having extracurriculars, there are always struggles. A common struggle in the school environment is the need for academic support for subjects students don’t excel in.
Teachers have the job of helping students reach their full potential, but not all struggling students prefer seeking help from them. The connection between peers can bring comfort and permit students in need to rely on their own classmates for academic support instead.
The unsung heroes offer help to tutor by taking time out of their own day, either during lunch or after school hours, to support their peers’ academic needs.
Junior Devin Caballero spends his time in C-5, Elizabeth Chu’s classroom, in his own time to give his peers tutoring.
“I help a variety of students with whatever questions they need, and if anything, I go to the teachers to help educate myself, and so I’m able to better help the students,” Caballero said.
Caballero aspires to be a teacher in the future, so gaining knowledge and experience through mentoring others benefits not just them but him, too.
Like Caballero, Junior Kaitlyn Liang spends her extra time tutoring her peers to do good for them and herself.
“I really just want to become a great person. Whether that’s academically or just as a person, I just want to become better in every way and constantly be improving,” Liang said.
Liang dedicates time to her responsibilities as she possesses three leadership roles in school, being secretary for choir and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as well as a representative of theater. Outside of school she juggles volunteer work at church and babysitting.
Although these students are capable enough to put time into helping their peers, this doesn’t mean they don’t have struggles of their own. They are passionate about what they do, but physically and mentally, it can be exhausting for these students as they must balance many priorities.
Besides academics, Senior Audrina Martinez works behind the scenes for the arts in technical theatre I. For her and the class, they directly support theater by making props and working with sound and lighting for rallies to spotlight other performance groups like dance, colorguard and band.
For this work, it’s physically based as opposed to tutoring, and this labor of making props, pushing heavy objects for prolonged times, can strain students.
But Martinez appreciates the work and position that she experiences.
“I like the stress-relieving side of it. A lot of people say that this is really hard, but I think I like how it’s not like the pressure of having to memorize lines or anything,” Martinez said.
Through their own enjoyment and decisions, these students choose to be helpful and benefit their peers to support their success. As well as the choice to be and work behind the scenes, it is fulfilling for them to work hard for the things they enjoy and assist others. They will continue to dedicate themselves to improving their crafts and skills as well as helping those around them.
