<p>If they are to be of interest to athletic recruiters, you are going to have to make sure that they are “on the radar” to get noticed and the recruiters need to see them in action. As far as after school and weekend employment, it’s still possible for a kid to work and to keep their grades up. A great many of the kids in my D’s NHS did just that, AND played varsity sports, were active in music/theatre,etc and I am seeing it in my S’s HS as well. A school will look more favorably on a young person who can juggle all of those things and is looking to help fund their own education. Looking to the " Hand’s On" training is great- nothing at all wrong with going into the Culinary Arts and there are jobs upon graduation! Going the CC route is also a viable alternative- many of them have guaranteed acceptance agreements with 4 year institutions as long as the grades are kept up.</p>