For part of the student body, gym class isn’t something to look forward to. While it seems like just another requirement to check off the to-do list for graduation, physical education actually plays a fundamental role in our lives.  To get another perspective, one of our staff writers, Vivian, went to investigate the reasons behind the gym requirement

A day as usual, a gym as usual: “Gym is annoying!” Comes a squeak from behind a set of lockers. Today, instead of playing tennis, I have something important to do. I am going to have a nice little interview with one of our school’s most experienced gym teachers, Mr. Williams.

V: Hi Mr. Williams, are you ready?

W: Yes I am ready!

V: Okay. Mr. Williams, are there any requirements for Gym in our school? (yeah definitely)

W: Yes there are. Students must complete two semesters of Gym: Lifetime fitness and Lifelong activities.

V: Oh yeah I see. (That’s why I see mostly young innocent freshmen faces in our Gym huh)

V: Then why do you think Gym is a required course, Mr. Williams?

W: Because we really need to put an emphasis on Physical Education, which will affect the rest of the our students’ lives.

V: Oh yeah. This lifelong influence can affect us even more directly than academic education. Overall, what do you think the Physical Education program in our school is trying to promote? (That’s a big question)

W: Fitness. Definitely to promote fitness. We try to make our students not only do fitness activities, but actually reach a fitness goal—improve muscle strength, flexibility, and ultimately promote our students’ interest in physical exercise.

V: Oh that’s right. Interest is the King of everything. Thank you very much, Mr. Williams. Have fun giving us lifelong influence!

W: Haha. You’re—wait, Vivian! I forgot to tell you one more thing: experiments have shown that students who participate in physical exercise do better academically too. Strong proof!

V: Oh yeah—I gotta jot that down. Bye Mr. Williams!