Rec Sports
Who shows up in times of need? High school extracurriculars offer clues

Are nerds the caring ones? High school stereotypes suggest that athletes score more popularity points than marching band members, debaters or leaders in the student council, but research from Rutgers finds that so-called “geeky” activities may do more to cultivate compassion in the long run.
“By their very nature, sports encourage competition and division, pitting people against each other,” said Chien-Chung Huang, a professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work and lead author of the study published in Youth & Society.
“There are other afterschool activities that do a far better job nurturing altruism.”
Extracurriculars have long been linked to higher grades, self-esteem and personal growth. Less understood is whether they foster generosity later in life, particularly during crises.
To explore the broader social impact of extracurricular activities during high school, Huang and colleagues examined data from the long-running Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which has followed thousands of participants nationwide since 1998.
As part of that survey, in 2022, more than 2,700 respondents answered questions related to their participation in high school extracurriculars—activities that sit outside of the required school curriculum—between 2014 and 2018.
About 87% of respondents reported participating in after-school organizations during their high school years. Roughly 70% reported engaging in altruistic behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, including whether they ran errands, offered childcare or provided financial support to others.
Using statistical modeling, Huang and colleagues then analyzed the two sets of responses.
The study revealed a clear pattern: The more involved students were after school, the more likely they were to help others in times of need. Volunteer service ranked highest in predicting altruism, followed by school clubs, hobbies, religious services and performance groups. Sports—the most popular activity by participation—ranked last for altruistic benefit.
For policymakers and school officials, Huang said, the findings should be a wake-up call to how sports are integrated into student development. While athletes often do better in school, are strong leaders and live healthier lives, the narrow focus on competition means there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“Coaches could bring a component of volunteering into their sports programs,” Huang said. “Maybe teams could do an activity each month where they volunteer at a community center or retirement home. This would bring teams closer together and add an altruistic element.”
Still, Huang emphasized the findings aren’t a criticism of sports, per se, but a reminder that any activity can include opportunities to care for others.
After-school programs of all kinds, including athletics, “can play a critical role in preparing youth to contribute meaningfully during times of societal need,” he said.
More information:
Chien-Chung Huang et al, High School Extracurriculars and Altruistic Behavior in Crises: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic, Youth & Society (2025). DOI: 10.1177/0044118X251350719
Provided by
Rutgers University
Citation:
Who shows up in times of need? High school extracurriculars offer clues (2025, September 12)
retrieved 12 September 2025
from https://phys.org/news/2025-09-high-school-extracurriculars-clues.html
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Rec Sports
TWRA Youth Fish Art Contest Now Open

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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Rec Sports
Centennial Cougars beat Champlin Park Rebels – The Rink Live
The Centennial Cougars won their game at Centennial Sports Arena against the Champlin Park Rebels on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, ending 7-4.
The Rebels took the lead in the middle of the first period, with a goal from Paul Pazandak. Derek Roehl assisted.
The Cougars tied it up 1-1 with a goal from Nick Carls halfway through the first, assisted by Joey Hemr.
Five goals were scored in the second period, and the Cougars led 4-3 going in to the third period.
The Cougars increased the lead to 5-3, only 43 seconds into the third when Cooper Daikawa netted one, assisted by Keegan Julik.
Kaden Johnson made it 6-3 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gavin Cunningham.
Paul Pazandak narrowed the gap to 6-4 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gabe Contons and Brody Girard.
Gavin Cunningham also increased the lead to 7-4 with a goal eight minutes later.
The teams will face off once again at Champlin Ice Forum on January 9th.
Coming up:
The Cougars will go up against the Forest Lake Rangers at Centennial Sports Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, while the Rebels will battle Maple Grove on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Maple Grove Community Center.
Read more prep coverage
Scoring:
Minnesota, Centennial Sports Arena
6th December 2025
Champlin Park Rebels at Centennial Cougars
7-4
1st period:
Champlin Park Rebels, 1–0 (9:44) Paul Pazandak
Centennial Cougars, 1–1 (12:20) Nick Carls
2nd period:
1–2 (23:20) Kaden Johnson, 2–2 (23:42) Max Peterson, 3–2 (25:30) Rhys George, 3–3 (30:55) Joey Hemr, 3–4 (32:25) Nick Carls
3rd period:
3–5 (41:43) Cooper Daikawa, 3–6 (44:48) Kaden Johnson, 4–6 (47:13) Paul Pazandak, 4–7 (55:39) Gavin Cunningham
Automated articles produced by United Robots on behalf of The Rink Live.
Rec Sports
Dodge County falls to Proctor/Hermantown in a ranked Class A girls hockey game
KASSON, Minn. (KTTC) – Two top-ten girls hockey teams in Class A squared off at Dodge County Ice Arena.
The No. 2 Dodge County Wildcats fell behind the No. 9 Proctor/Hermantown Mirage 4-0 after the second period.
Each team scored once in the third period as the Mirage finished the upset win, 5-1.
Dodge County returns to action on December 29. The Wildcats will travel to play the Academy of Holy Angels at 5:00 p.m.
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Copyright 2025 KTTC. All rights reserved.
Rec Sports
A-K Valley athletes of the week: St. Joseph’s Bella Bartolovic, Springdale’s Robby Simmen
By:
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 4:17 PM
Bella Bartolovic
School: St. Joseph
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Bartolovic dropped a season-high 27 points against Leechburg on Tuesday. She then followed that up with 19 against Eden Christian on Thursday to lead St. Joseph to a 2-0 week. The sophomore guard leads the Spartans with six double-figure scoring games and 20.5 points per contest.
St. Joseph is 5-2 (3-0) and will prepare for a meeting with Aquinas Academy (6-0, 2-0) on Monday.
What do you believe is the potential of this team, even with it being a young one?
It is a great start, and we look to continue this streak. I believe this team has a lot of potential this season to make it far, even though we’re young.
What has been working well for you as you’ve taken a scoring leap?
I have a very supportive team and coaching staff, which allows me to play without the worry of making mistakes.
If you maintain your scoring, how will you respond when teams begin to put you at the top of the scouting report?
I will take this as a compliment. I will continue to work on improving my game and trusting my teammates.
What can you say about the contributions the team has gotten from senior Kasey Cienik and junior Jocelyn Spinelli?
Their leadership has been very important because they encourage us all to do our best and boost our confidence.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
Play more basketball
What is the best basketball shoe out right now?
Sabrina’s
What are your plans for the holidays?
To spend time with family and friends
What is your favorite Christmas song?
“Jingle Bell Rock.”
You have a matchup against Aquinas Academy on Monday, a rematch of last year’s No. 2 teams in Section 1-A. What will be the keys to staying undefeated in section play against the Crusaders?
The keys to Monday will be staying composed and working as a team.
Robby Simmen
School: Springdale
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Simmen went off for a season-high 39 points to lead Springdale to a Section 1-2A win over California on Tuesday. He then scored 15 in an overtime loss to Bentworth on Friday. Simmen has reached double digits in all six games for the Dynamos (2-4, 1-2) and leads them with 20.5 points a game.
After graduating eight seniors last year, how have you and other underclassmen stepped up and filled in leadership roles?
Many of our current juniors and our senior that have been on the team last year know what it takes to be a leader from experiencing our games and practices. The past seniors and our coaches set a great example for us. We stepped up by continuing to do what makes us better as a team, which is lifting each other up as well as giving everyone the confidence they need on and off the court.
What has been the biggest improvement in your offensive game this season?
In the offseason, I work on all of my skills. I feel I improved most in my speed and strength. It gives me a lot more opportunity to be an all-around threat on offense.
In three out of five games this year, the team has had two double-digit scorers. Liam Dexter has two of those games. How have you seen him grow as a player in your three years together?
Liam has always had the skill to do what he does. We’ve played together on a youth basketball team since third grade. His ability to shoot and play in the paint makes him a difficult player to guard.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
When I’m not playing basketball or in school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Who is your favorite music artist, and is it the same person for pregame?
My favorite artists are probably Zach Bryan or Drake. Drake is more for pregame, though.
What are your plans for the holidays?
Go spend time with family.
What Christmas movie is a sneaky contender for the best of all time?
“Home Alone.”
Tags: Springdale, St. Joseph
Rec Sports
Commanders young RBs – The Athletic
The Commanders will have nearly two dozen players hit free agency in March, so these final three games are a lot like preseason games, as glorified tryouts. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a Commanders sixth-round pick in 2023, stuck around with the regime change in ’24 and has really come on this season to become the team’s de facto starter after Austin Ekeler went down with an Achilles injury. He will be a restricted free agent in March, and as Washington tries to revamp the entire roster, his play this evening could carry significant weight in deciding his future here.
Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could play heavily into that. Bill has shown flashes of his quickness, speed and vision behind the line of scrimmage, and leads the team in both rushing yards (646) and rushing touchdowns (five) through Week 15. But his development into a complete back, who can block and catch passes out of the backfield, will be key to him becoming more of a featured back.
Rec Sports
TWRA Youth Fish Art Contest Now Open

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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