The bottom does not mean failure

Allie Keim | The Chronicle

Traveling throughout our four years of high school, there is one place people always want to be: on top. Academically, athletically or socially. No matter how students manage to get there, the goal is always to be the best.

However, a few nights a week, when people gather together to look beyond their achievements and support their classmates, students have the humble chance to be at the bottom. And for once, being at the bottom is a good thing. Within Mason High School’s (MHS) student section, The Black Hole, students view the lower seats as the place to be. 

As high school students, we are constantly comparing ourselves to those who have it all. The students with the highest ACT score, highest GPA, or the most prominent leadership positions. But Dwire Field sees all students as equals. No special qualifications are required for a student to obtain a spot at the stadium. However, some dedication is needed for people to wait 30 minutes before the start of a home football game.  

While writing my story on The Black Hole, I reflected on how uniting MHS sporting events can be. Everyone shows up dressed in the same themed clothing and comes together to cheer on others who are, in fact, at the top of their game. Watching others at their peak is truly inspiring and proves everyone can have their moment at the top. 

Sports have always been something that brings people together. In a time where students’ differences can be a bigger focus than their similarities, every student sitting in the same section shares one goal: cheer the Comets to a win. Fans for all teams are able to recognize the achievement of the athletes to make the team, show up for practice each day, and represent their school at their sporting event. 

Going to my first football game in my junior year, I made the proclamation “I’m so excited to be lower in The Black Hole this year.” As an upperclassman, it is fun knowing that I have a better spot than the year prior. This is the same sensation I felt as a sophomore, knowing that I wouldn’t have to spend my time at games stuck in the back. The level at which we sit within the MHS spirit section signifies the progress we have made thus far. 

Even though the freshmen are set to stand in the back, it is an opportunity for them to get a full view of what the high school experience holds. They’re the ones who can see the entire student turnout and all freshmen should respect this order, knowing that their time will come soon.

Once we graduate from high school, getting tickets for sporting events will not be so simple. Obtaining good tickets to NFL or NBA games is correlated to one’s socioeconomic status. Outside of the Black Hole, life isn’t so fair. To get into the stadium, everyone pays the same amount, then students are sorted by their grade status within the section. Now is the only time where quality sporting events are accessible to everyone, no matter who they are or what job they have. 

It’s important for everyone to enjoy our time sitting at the bottom, knowing that in the future, stadiums won’t view everyone the same. 

Standing atop the bleachers at football games, it is hard not to think of the few Friday night lights we have left. While high school football games might not be something we all value now, later we will look back on the collective memories shared between us students. And at the end of each game — no matter the outcome — everyone meets at the bottom to sing the MHS alma mater. 

There are few occasions where it is best to not be on top, but The Black Hole has the ability to make the bottom the most appealing place to be.