Replace the Replacement: Although all-school convocations have been replaced, they prove to be better for athletes, participants

Last month, I was one of  several athletes who walked in the Walk of Champions, a replacement tradition for the previous all-school convocations. However, what I thought would be a fun, stress-free celebration turned into a shy person’s biggest nightmare as my group walked up to the third floor A-rooms. Instantly, all eyes turned to look at the group of athletes decked in blue and gold and hesitantly began clapping.  I had convinced myself the experience would be exciting, but my legs turned to jelly when I met the eyes of my classmates. To me, it seemed the experience was infinitely more nerve-wracking than the all-school convocation I had previously walked in. Realizing my fear of public speaking, I decided to learn more about the psychology of fear and why my reaction to a seemingly simple walk felt much more terrifying than appearing in front of the entire school.

The feeling of fear appears when we notice specific cues—like snakes, spiders or a large group of strangers. According to an article from Psychology Today, upon noticing a cue, the brain begins releasing chemical signals, which cause the body to start reacting physically. Oftentimes, these signals will trigger physical reactions that are meant to increase the chance of survival by making the body more alert. Essentially, our reactions to fear are the same but what signals the release of these chemicals differs greatly from person to person. Another article from Psychology Today claims teens nowadays fear things like embarrassment, criticism and gossip. The description for the fear of embarrassment rang especially true to me: the fear of “painful public personal exposure,” one of the most common fears the majority of teens face.

Walking at a slow and steady pace throughout the hallways felt like that exact situation: being put on display for a group of strangers. The sensation was almost incomparable to that of the convocation atmosphere; seeing every student’s face and emotions felt entirely too personal, making the terrifying experience seem more like judgment rather than recognition. I admit, the task of seating over 5,300 students within a single gym is harrowing, but it ultimately provides a more comfortable experience for those who are being recognized. To avoid potentially causing uncomfortable feelings amongst participants, convocations should be brought back to CHS as a method of recognizing accomplished students and groups.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Selena Liu at [email protected].

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