Does popularity influence achievement or vice versa?

LAURA GOULD/Charleston Catholic

By Cynthia Hager
Poca High School

Every year, high schools hold a number of elections, whether for student council representatives and club leaders or prom and homecoming queens. And it always seems like these elections are controversial.

There are two main questions that come up at election time. First is “Should I run?” and second is “Who should I vote for?” The answers to these questions may be decided by one factor: popularity.

The theory of popular kids and jocks ruling the school has been around since the beginning of time. Recently, I decided to find out what teens think of that theory. I sent an e-mail out to a massive group of Putnam County high school students to see what they had to say.

Within 10 minutes, I had received 12 e-mails from people of all social classes. From team captains to average Joes, everyone had something to say.

Poca sophomore James Tucker, for one, agreed with the theory. “Popularity plays a major role in the electing of school representatives. Some teachers try to pick the ‘unpopular’ kids, but it never truly works out. Popularity ultimately means you’re ‘friends with everyone.’ I put this in quotes because it’s not necessarily true, but it’s life.”

Cassie Lucas, a senior at Poca, agreed. “I think that people are elected into student council because of popularity. People vote for the people they like, not the people that will fit the job best.

“I think that the organizations should test their incoming officers before electing them for their jobs, such as president, vice president, etc.,” she added. “I don’t think it should be a matter of popularity, though. If you’re fit for the job, you should get it no matter what clique you’re in or how popular you are.”

“In high school, popularity does influence certain things,” admitted Cody Hager, a sophomore at Winfield High School. “It seems as if the so-called ‘popular’ people usually do get more benefits, win more elections, etc.

However, if you look at it, it is really the ‘popular’ crowd that is more involved in clubs and things like student council,” he said. “Sometimes, they are picked for this reason and if so, it soon becomes obvious. But, people are also chosen for their qualifications.

“So, yes, popularity occasionally does come ‘with benefits,’” he concluded. “But it is soon shown if they are not qualified for the position.”

Poca sophomore Dustin Washington said, “Popularity is a given when students are running for certain school activities, but possessing true qualities to do the job right is significant to the student body as well.”

“I think that everything revolves around popular people. The more people that know you, the more you are liked — even if for the wrong reason,” said Poca sophomore Brittany Laughlin.

Classmate Hillary Gibson agreed. “Most people just vote for their friends, so if you have a lot of friends, you’re more likely to win a position or prize.”

Poca sophomore Chelsea Parson was one of the few respondents who thinks that school elections have nothing to do with popularity.

“I don’t think that popularity has anything to do with what you are elected for,” she said. “I really don’t think anyone is really popular anymore. People are elected for things due to their experience and their qualifications for that position.”

Her sister, freshman Alex Parson, agreed. “I think popularity has nothing to do with it! It has to do with your skills and how you handle things. I also think how nice you are is a major factor.”

So, it appears that most teens agree that being popular does at least play a role in student elections. However, just because they think that’s true, doesn’t mean they all think it’s right.

“Popularity is basically a waste of time,” said Poca junior Kelly Sisson. “You shouldn’t have to be the preppiest cheerleader or biggest jock to be popular. Popularity should be based on personality, not the way you look or your job title.”