It’s 11 PM. Most students are already home, asleep, or staying up late. But Kylie Shrimplin, a freshman in theater and theater tech, hasn’t even left the school. She stays behind, making and hanging posters for the next show the theater group is going to perform. And she does it all the time; whether it’s posters, choreography, or stage direction, and she’ll do it again, even with its expenses. 

“I really enjoy theater,” she states, “For this show, in total, I probably paid around $300, and I do think these costs were worth it.” 

Schools have many activities in which additional fees are required in order to be a part of that activity, and represent the school. Where the costs can rack up, is where it gets hard to tell if a hefty fee is worth the opportunity. The costs often bring mixed opinions among students.  

Isabella Young, a freshman bass clarinetist, agrees that the costs were worth joining the marching band. 

“I do think my activity is worth the money. I found it moderately expensive. [But,] I made so many friends in the marching band, I made memories, and really improved my confidence and musicianship.” 

However, costs can go beyond fees. There are emotional, physical, and social costs that remain as hidden fees students pay. The question at the end of the day- is the price truly worth the pride?

Kylie explains her own struggles with these costs in theater.

“Even though I do deeply enjoy being a part of theater, it’s very stressful, especially for a student.  Most people after rehearsals are extremely exhausted or simply just don’t have time to do activities, leading them to often miss out on their activities, which can lead to a decline in the quality of their social life.”

She also highlights the physical issues endured in theater. 

“Theater doesn’t have nearly as many physical tolls as athletics, but there are a few, like enduring hard choreography, rehearsing for long periods of time, and running around the theater for the entirety of a show.” 

Isabella, in band, emphasizes her own time management struggles with marching band. 

“Rehearsals were very time consuming, so I ended up having less free time,” she admits. “When I first started, I struggled with saving time for homework, until I found a system.”

Similar experiences are also found in students who play sports. Siri Patel, a Weddington Golf player, shares her own insight on the payments of money and mental health.

“Golf can be expensive to buy clubs and get lessons, but if you have a passion [or] interest for the sport, then it’s not too bad in the long run.” She claims. “It can also be expensive to go to the course and play; however, it’s not too expensive to hit on range.” 

Just like Kylie, Siri found that there are not only costs fiscally, but also for physical health. 

“It’s physically tolling if you strain yourself, specifically your back [and] neck. Golf is more of a mental game, it’s very easy to get in your head whenever you’re playing, so you have to stay level and calm.”

Contrary to this, some students found the cost of these sports a waste of their money. 

Fiona Berg, a flag football player, expresses her disapproval with her sport’s expenses. 

“[It] was pretty affordable, [but] the team sucked. You shouldn’t do it for the school; do it for the club.” 

In the midst of “it was worth it,” and “paid for nothing,” remain students who still feel conflicted about their choice when they had to “pay to play.” 

“I would say yes and no.” Rylee Kidd, a Weddington High swimmer, quotes. “Clothes are not worth it. I mean, you show team spirit, but no one goes out of their way to watch Swim. But if it pays for the sport, like [the] cost of the pool, and [the] cost of scheduling for the meets, it’s worth it.”

Behind all the school pride and representation in these “pay to play” activities, there are always prices to pay for students, from a heavy fee and injuries, to FOMO and fatigue. But the choice of battling the costs is always in students hands at the end of the day. 

“The cost depends on how much you cut corners,” Rylee reveals. “And how much you’re willing to spend for the team.”