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Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

Beneath the core: How students are finding success through electives

Pictured+above+is+the+Pleasant+Valley+school+district%E2%80%99s+logo.
Brady Hunter
Pictured above is the Pleasant Valley school district’s logo.

A high school diploma signifies that a student is sufficiently credited for their coursework throughout their career. A high school student’s portfolio tailors to their future endeavors and specific postsecondary plans due to the fact that it includes both core classes and chosen electives.

The courses required for graduation are considered core classes. Within these specified areas of study, students complete the mandatory credits that colleges expect to see on transcripts. Although fundamental principles are taught utilizing statewide curriculum, PV senior Sam Bebow gave insight on how these courses hinder students’ ability to be taught applicable life skills.

“I believe electives are an important way for students to learn real-life skills that help prepare them for their futures. I have personally taken a lot of these courses and they have helped me branch out and try new things. Not only have they benefited me more than my core classes but they have shaped my future and helped me decide what I want to do when I grow up,” Bebow stated.

With new additions to the elective list nearly every year, students have found several classes that tailor to selective desires at PV. A few notable electives offered at PV include Microsoft certifications, sign language, and a variety of business classes like marketing and accounting. 

Senior Aidan Judd discussed his favorite newly implemented elective course offered at PV. 

“I think that personal finance has been my favorite elective this semester because of how applicable it is to a high school student’s daily life. This course has helped me grow in several ways. I am now more prepared to budget for college, which is sneaking around the corner, and understand how loans function. The most important takeaway I have from personal finance is how vital budgeting for retirement is. I have started changing my habits in my everyday life to tailor for my future wants and needs,” Judd explained. 

Elective courses at PV are clearly benefiting the student body and preparing them for future endeavors. 

According to certified middle school teacher Ernie Rambo, “Electives classes reveal the skill sets of some students that might not be obvious in their other classes, helping them see their strengths and affording them opportunities to be of value to their classmates.”

Regardless of the subject, teacher or size of class, elective courses have proven to be one of the most fundamental tools for high school students to grow as learners and understand the importance of applicable concepts in their everyday lives. 

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About the Contributor
Brady Hunter
Brady Hunter, Multimedia Manager
Brady Hunter has been a Pleasant Valley resident since his first years in school. Not only is he a member of the National Honors Society, a group that honors the awards of high achieving students. He also is a player on the Pleasant Valley Men’s soccer team. He has been a member of the team for the past four years at Pleasant Valley. His cooperation skills and phenomenal team lead them to victory in last year's soccer championship. Brady has a twin brother who is also a member of the Spartan Shield. He is very well trained with technology and has a bright future in the field of Software Engineering. Along with technology he is interested in financial opportunities such as the everchanging stock market. He plans on attending Iowa university for finance and data analytics. He is a fan of the The Saints as well as The Iowa Hawkeyes. Along with his technological and athletic passions he loves animals and currently owns a dog, Ollie and his cat, Finn. Not only does he bring countless positive attributes to the team but he also spends his summers on the golf course as an employee of the Davenport Country Club. Brady found his passion for writing in his second year of high school where he learned the importance of sharing his voice. Fast forward two years Brady is now a valued member of the Spartan Shield and adds his unique writing style and journalistic passion to his articles. Look forward to his engaging stories online and in print at the Spartan Shield.
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    Sam BebowNov 1, 2021 at 8:20 am

    Wow what a great article I genuinely do believe that electives are that important. Being able to take certain classes helps students branch out. Great point and an even better quote by the SAM BEBOW.

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Beneath the core: How students are finding success through electives