By Jake Faber ’14, Staff Writer

Newark Academy and its constituents pride themselves on the academically rigorous atmosphere contained within. For decades, the motto “Ad Lumen” (towards enlightenment) has reminded students and faculty alike why they are truly gathered under such an establishment. Scholarly excellence has always been the primary objective of Newark Academy; and although extracurricular activities are highly promoted, academics have rarely taken a back-seat role to other engagements. These fundamental qualities, however, seem contradictory to the school’s decision to shorten class periods in order to allow students to watch the Newark Academy football team play on Friday, October 7th .

As an NA student for five years, I understand the frustration of taking a test under a time restraint or struggling to complete homework because there simply was not an adequate amount of time for a teacher to convey the information. Accordingly, shortened periods have become quite a nuisance for the entire NA community which seeks to succeed scholastically. Bothersome consequences of abbreviated classes warrant a sparing use of special schedules. When periods are compressed unnecessarily, however, unreasonable difficulties arise.

About one week ago, academic classes were scheduled to end at 2:00 rather than 2:25 for the purpose of expanding the fan base of the Minuteman football team. This abbreviation hardly fulfilled its purpose. By half time of the game many of the spectators had already vacated the bleachers to begin their weekends early. The athletic event (which ended in a disappointing rout) was no more relevant than any other competition on any given day. Hence, despite the apparent virtues of Newark Academy, do academics truly take priority over athletics? While the ideology of the institution leads us to believe so, it is difficult to lend credence to this suggestion when attendance to a 2:00 game becomes quasi obligatory.

Although sporting events are an exemplary way for the community to truly create a collective identity as Minutemen, required attendance should never take precedence over the pursuit of scholastic illumination.