When female Park seniors win the Athena Award, they win more than just something to put on a college resume. They wins acknowledgment for participating and excelling in athletics — something the public wouldn’t recognize before 1972. The Athena Award is specific to girls because boys don’t need more empowerment.

Before Congress passed Title IX in 1972, women were not encouraged to participate in athletics. Title IX is a law that requite gender equality for men and women in every educational program that receives federal funding, including sports.

The award is specific in that it can only be given to girls, but this does not discriminate against men. Men receive plenty of attention without an award.

The Athena Award supports girls exploring new territory traditionally occupied by boys. Popular sports such as basketball were once strictly limited to only male participants.

Recently, Minnesota’s women’s basketball team, the Lynx, had more wins than Minnesota’s men’s team, the Timberwolves. However, according to the team website, tickets for a Timberwolves game cost significantly more than tickets for a Lynx game.

Discrimination reaches beyond salaries and ticket cost. In 2013, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation reported that women’s sports received 7 percent of TV coverage. Women can participate, but are far from reaching the equality they deserve.

There is still bias in global athletics. Women are fighting for a chance to do something they love. Breaking barriers takes courage, as recognized through the Athena Award. As a Park tradition, the Athena Award builds girls up, congratulating them on accomplishments once considered impossible.

The award shows how far society has come regarding women. Having an award that builds boys up is not necessary. The Athena Award encourages girls to follow their dreams.