As a wide-eyed freshman, new to the confusing world of high school and its many intricacies, I knew the date of the spirit rally and football game weeks before it was scheduled to happen – despite never before having any interest in school spirit or football. This is because, arguably, nothing is more talked about and publicized in a high school than major sporting events and events that promote school spirit. For good reason, of course, as they directly relate to school activities and the like.

But this also leaves more minor events from reaching out and getting into the public eye.

NaNoWriMo (an unfamiliar title to, I’d wager, many students and even faculty members in this school) stands for National Novel Writing Month and it begins on the first of November, 12 days from now. The event, which encourages daily writing habits by aiming towards a goal of 50,000 words by the end of the month, is available for people worldwide to participate.

It gives students a semi-educational way to unwind (in the way that teachers can only dream of) and establishes healthy writing habits. And who knows, maybe the habits cultivated from NaNo will one day begin pertaining to studying and homework too.

Despite all of that, it has so far received very little coverage outside of the Writers of Tomorrow Club – the largest planned gathering of people people to participate in over 6 years, since the last creative writing club was formed.

By neglecting having the media cover this event in any way (without even any mention of it during announcements) it falls upon a few ‘in the know’ students to advertise. In other words, a group who have limited access to the rest of the school have no choice but to do so themselves, as nobody else is going to. Because if the school remains determined to focus on gatherings and competitions that draw the biggest crowds, there are very few opportunities for RHS students to learn of other existing developments. Certainly not with ‘word of mouth’ as that is the best way for misinformation to end up spreading.

Coverage of significant events occurring in the school is all well and good, especially when they affect so many students. But overcompensation and leaving these developments in the spotlight for too long blinds students to the rest of the opportunities available to them.

As it seems that the unequal levels of coverage only encourage other developments and gatherings to be forgotten or have opportunities be taken for granted, as the spirit days and football games overshadow others to the point that they are no longer visible through the (metaphorical) clouds.

Why should more events that may attract a smaller group of people, be forced to make room in RHS’ school media for those that seem to be more valued?

People gripe and argue about giving everyone equal opportunity in this school, but that looks like it no longer include events and matters that may be attractive to a smaller – though no less important – group of people.