Experience vs. Performance

Two weeks ago, SFCS sent High School and Middle School delegations to the 2013 Youth In Government (YIG) Conference in Columbia, SC.  Youth in Government is a YMCA-sponsored event that brings together middle and high school students from all over the United States in a three-day conference where students gain a glimpse into the inner workings of the state government process. During the conference, students propose, write, and defend bills, run for offices for the next year, and meet state legislators. 

This year was especially great for the SFCS delegation – seven SFCS bills were signed into YIG law; four middle school students and one high school student were named Outstanding Statesmen; two SFCS bills earned the Outstanding Bill Award; and both delegations were named Premier Delegations.   (For more details and pictures, visit http://shannonforest.com/headlines.html.)

So what could possibly make this experience just as important as the SAT – a nationally recognized method of evaluating college applicants?   

The SAT by nature is designed to provide a generalized snapshot of an individual.  It is one-dimensional and says very little about the person, in that it cannot distinguish between two students who have the same scores.  Without any other information, a college admissions representative could view both students as essentially equal. 

Youth In Government, in contrast, allows our students to show what they are able to accomplish in the real world.  YIG participants participate in a student-run government system that not only gives them a glimpse into the “grown-up world” of politics, but requires them to think critically, communicate clearly and rationally, and to take responsibility for their decisions and actions.  It is incredible what these young adults are able to accomplish through their own initiative when given the opportunity. 

Don’t mistake me, I am not saying that your 11^th grader shouldn’t take the SAT just because it is limited in its ability to truly distinguish between students.  However, I am suggesting the personal and educational value of experiences such as Youth In Government should not be ignored.  Shannon Forest Christian School has created several opportunities for students to gain experience with the real world which we encapsulate under the heading Shannon Experience.  These include the EXPLORE program for 10^th graders through which they investigate potential careers and participate in an internship program with businesses around Greenville; the PURSUE program during which 11^th graders visit college campuses, talk about potential majors, and discuss their goals and dreams for college; IMPACT and CONNECT which bring our Lower and Upper School students together through community service projects. 

Here at SFCS we want to provide your child with a well-rounded education – one in which they are well-versed in the fundamentals of math, history, English, and science, but also one that has allowed them to become confident, thoughtful, creative, empathetic individuals who can truly impact their communities for Christ.