At Rocklin High School, and most likely across the country, students in visual and performing art programs, extracurricular clubs, and otherwise are quick to complain that their endeavors receive less attention than sports. At RHS, this is an accurate complaint, but the problem is not the fault of the school as a whole and rather due to lack of self-promotion by said “disenfranchised” groups.

Coach O’Donnell has appeared on the broadcasting announcements multiple times, putting on quite a show to convince the student audience to attend football games. Coach Taylor promotes the boys’ basketball team diligently, and people come to the games. Groups that complain of lack of coverage clearly lack individuals, whether faculty or students, willing to take charge of publicity.

When, exactly, was the last time an art, choir, or theater member appeared on the morning announcements to promote an upcoming event? The fact of the matter is that non-sports activities do not promote themselves as strongly as athletics. Few students and teachers knew about recent theater festival Lenaea because it was not advertised, and thus one actor remarked to me, “No one’s going to come to our show.”

The case is the same for the Students for Animal Welfare club. According to member Ashley Sorci, about a dozen students come to meetings every week. Does she think more people would come if the club had a higher profile? “Yes.”

There are few restrictions on what a club can do to promote itself. Posters can be posted around school if they are approved by the activities director. Groups can secure a spot on the PA announcements with a simple form and an adviser signature. Video packages can be requested from the RHS broadcasting classes.

Outside promotion can also be effective. Recently, The Sacramento Bee ran a short notice about a showing of the film “Clover Valley: Last of its Kind,” hosted by RHS’s Progressive Youth League. Every seat in the Tech Lecture Hall was filled, and some in attendance had to sit on the floor during the viewing. Though the PYL is a small club, by taking initiative they managed to sponsor a successful event.

This problem of low representation in the mainstream student media is easily correctible. School groups need only take initiative in self-promotion, and more attention will be granted.