Athletes leading fulfilling lives, too

It was one of those things that just doesn't sit right. A puzzle piece I just couldn't seem to stuff into place.

I didn't feel quite right after reading an article in the Speak for Yourself column (Feb. 21). I read it again and still, I didn't feel satisfied. It was well-written and the point was clear, but I didn't agree.

The article stated that little success will come of sports and the way to a fulfilling life is intelligence. I do agree that in some ways athletics is more praised and is given more attention than academics, but the arts are also not honored as much as they deserve to be. Indeed, reading and good grades will take you far, but what if you don't want to be noted for being gifted academically? Or maybe you just don't like to read, like me.

What is to become of the people who enjoy spending their time painting, singing or playing basketball? Should students who read and study all day deserve to go to college while the others flip burgers (no offense to my burger-flipping friends)? Of course, this isn't fair, so people who have never been able to sit down with a book and read for hours can get into college other ways. There are scholarships for those gifted athletically, musically and in many other ways.

I'm not singling out and prodding people who spend their time reading. And I'm not saying they don't deserve acknowledgment, because they do. But so do other gifted people. Yes, athletes do get extra attention, but they deserve to be rewarded for their accomplishments as does everyone else, not just academically gifted people.

I like to define success as achieving your goals. Success makes up a fulfilling life however you get there. Whether you read, draw, run, dance or act, if you enjoy it and you're happy with where it's taking you, then you deserve to be rewarded. Not everyone feels this way, but I applaud those who succeed in whatever way they choose.

Now I feel satisfied. The piece has fallen into the puzzle. But this puzzle isn't complete. People are still not acknowledged for their accomplishments. And I don't know if the puzzle will ever match the picture on the box.

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