Burke Beat would like to highlight enthusiastic sports players, whether they are current or former athletes. Parents and students alike can see how sports bring happiness and motivation into people’s lives. A camerawoman and I went around Burke High School looking for a student to interview, and we found just the right person.

“My favorite sport that I ever played? It definitely has to be badminton,” said Charlie, a 17-year-old junior at Burke. Charlie has played many sports throughout their life, but badminton stood out as their favorite. While they enjoyed competing, academics were never the main reason they played.

“I wasn’t really motivated to do better in school because of it. It was just something I did on the side, like a hobby to blow off steam,” Charlie said.

Sports should be enjoyed as a hobby before they are seen as a way to make money or boost academics. It is important for young people to find something that genuinely makes them happy before it turns into pressure or stress.