SAMPLE ACT-STYLE ESSAY
Rivalry is a long-held tradition in American that has shaped society through fueling competitive fires in our hearts. Those fires are stoked as Grosse Pointe North and South High Schools host cross-town rivalry athletic events with each other that excite the suburban community, but these games are being called into question by the school board on the basis of negative altercations exhibited during these events. Although bullying and harassment have been present at these competitions, these aspects are not uniform to only rivalry games; this, along with the financial advantages and merit of the game, promotes the necessity of this tradition and its underlying effects on society.
It can be argued that physical altercations resulting from these conflicts could leave costly public damages, putting the schools at a financial disadvantage. In reality, the plethora of money-making attributes from these events creates a large profit for the schools. The North versus South game is the second most talked about/popular football game (behind Homecoming) for both schools and the greater community, generating an extensive income from ticket sales. In addition to money from tickets, there is also a fortune to be made in concessions, vendors, and sale of school spirit apparel. If the athletic events are disallowed, this schools and community will lose a strong source of revenue.
Athletic opportunities also tip the scale to favor tradition, although debated that the rivalry ruins the merits of competition. This view overlooks the fact that this event is held most important to many athletes, not just in football. Rivalries are and should be a great athletic endeavor that inspires athletes on both sides. Even upon losing, there is the sweet thought of getting revenge next year. No matter the turnout of the game, the publicity and familiarity with the opponent causes rivalries to be the highlight of an athlete’s season and should not be taken away.
The board of education can point out that rivalries cause the presence of some social discrepancies, and they would be accurate. Nevertheless, bullying and harassment are not only existent in rivalry games but rather the whole spectrum of high school athletics. There is also the argument that intense rivalries create a polarizing effect and split the community. This second sociological standpoint is countered by reasoning that if the two schools ignore each other in athletics (one of the only things that links North and South) then they will drift away and alienate from the other, causing a separation in the community. The events are also good for students to meet up with their friends they don’t see regularly anymore.
When the options of discontinuing the games of North versus South or holding to tradition are juxtaposed, keeping the fire of competition alive proves to be the more advantageous decision. The financial advantages, along with the athletic experiences and a deeper social effect, support the necessity of the cross-town rivalry between Grosse Pointe North and South.