Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

The Art of Losing

1 Can you imagine not having a National Basketball Association (NBA) championship team? What if the
National Football League (NFL) didn’t have the Super Bowl? Many people cannot remember a time when
actors didn’t have the Oscars or when musicians didn’t vie for Grammys. Consider a school where no
one was named salutatorian or valedictorian for the graduation ceremony. As incredulous as these ideas
may be, many people have begun embracing the idea that participation alone merits recognition. From
little league sports teams to school science fairs, it is not uncommon to see coaches and teachers use
trophies and awards to praise students for efforts rather than the final performance or product. While a
noble idea, distributing trophies and awards to everyone undermines the value of winning and prevents
participants from experiencing the benefits of losing.

2 Everyone enjoys winning. Trophies were once an acknowledgement of achievement, but providing
trophies to everyone who is present diminishes the value of a trophy. In a sense, the message becomes
“everyone is a winner” which is both incorrect and potentially dangerous for future generations. It is
likely that those who are accustomed to receiving participation trophies will expect praise for merely
showing up. The consequence of this mindset could easily extend past the athletic field and spelling bee
to academic classes or even jobs. If students begin to believe attending class is worthy of a minimum
grade, class rank and GPA will hold little to no value in regard to academic capability. Furthermore,
most aspects of life demand more than simply being present. Employers expect employees to not only
show up for work; they also expect them to complete specific duties while they are there. Salaries are
provided for meeting the demands of the position, not just for being in the building. Attendance is the
minimum expectation; it is the effort one puts forth when present that determines if recognition is
warranted

3 Most people who have achieved success in a particular field attest that they learned more from their
failures than from their successes. Michael Jordan, arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all
time, is often quoted for saying, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I
succeed.” Jordan is no stranger to success. A six time NBA champion and five time recipient of the Most
Valuable Player award are commendable achievements for an elite athlete. Yet, those successes pale in
comparison to the many games he did not win. It was the losses that fueled the desire to be better,
stronger, and faster next time in hopes of achieving success. The same should be true of all athletes,
not just those who are exceptionally talented in their field. The experience of losing allows one to reflect
on how to become better for the next competition. It also provides a realistic picture of the real world.
In many instances, there are very few winners, and no accolades for those who simply participated.
Understanding that losing is a healthy experience will better prepare students for the future and
motivate them to both show up and put forth their best efforts.

4 Acknowledging participation is not the issue. As adults we are often given mementos to signify our
participation in professional settings or even athletic events such as marathons. However, most adults
are aware they are being lauded for participating or completing the event. There must be a clear
distinction between those who attended and those who excelled in performance. A verbal
acknowledgement and applause are ways to recognize participation without falsely perpetuating the
idea that everyone deserves the same level of recognition regardless of actual skill. In education,
there is an attendance award for those who diligently come to the school building each day, However,
no one would confuse an attendance award with an actual diploma certifying completion of courses or
a valedictorian making a speech to his or her peers due to being recognized as the highest achieving
member of the class. There must be varying levels of awards to ensure that encouraging all
participants does not undermine the efforts made by those who performed exceptionally well.

5 Many believe rewarding youth for participation will have a positive effect on self- esteem and build
confidence which will encourage continued efforts to achieve success. Watching a young child cry
after losing a game or spelling bee is far from enjoyable. The emotional impact of a loss can be
devastating for children who do not yet understand that failure is inevitable for all human beings. It is
important for parents and other adults to explain how to deal with the hurt and negative emotions of
loss. Shielding children from those emotions all together only robs them of the opportunity to learn
how to deal with loss positively and use that experience to navigate the real world which does not
often distribute awards without significant achievement.

6 Life offers many opportunities for people to compete, and inevitably, in a competition, there will be
winners and losers. Teaching children the art of losing is what will allow them to see the loss as an
experience for growth. Rather than distribute awards for waking up each day as a participant in life,
we want to develop young adults who as the Japanese proverb states, “Fall down seven times, stand
up eight.”
Tuesday 1/
Wednesda
 Tu
W

What is the definition

presence?
Showing up and being p

Definition: something that is advantage

What is the definition
Definition: a payment or gift benefit?
Definition:A theatrical performance or other public A payment or a gift
entertainment
Definition:an act of kindness
 Tuesday 1/2
Wednesday

the author has a strong feeling of using trophies to improve self confidence is
by giving participation trophies helps to build self-esteem at an
impressionable age. Watching other kids receive a trophy and not receiving
one yourself can be degrading Also by awards can bulld happiness in the
kids for the game and the desire to come back and try harder the next time.
But also other argue against participation trophies because of the negative
traits and less motivation It can promote to child and any that can be
participating. The benefits of trophies are better performance at work, an
openness to try new things, increased resilience and grit, better interpersonal
relationships and mental health, Increased happiness, and a sense of well-
being. Some people may not like the participation trophy because it kills
children's sense of competition. Sometimes not everyone should feel like
they're first or a winner all the time. Also you can use losing as an opportunity
that the children can use to work harder to win next time

QUIZ on FRIDAY 1/27 OVER THIS ASSIGNMENT!!!!

(questions and short constructed response)
If you completed this assignment, you may use it on your
QUIZ on Friday! Be prepared!