I was an arts kid. This is a well established fact at this point.
I did theatre. Joined the dance team. Tried out choir. I was even in band for two years in junior high. I took piano lessons for years (I’m not sure how long, and I’m pretty sure the only person who does know is my late mother, so that will forever remain a mystery). I tried everything before I found the thing I was good at -- writing. But oh, how I loved everything about the arts. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunities that I did, whether it was being in the Singing Blue Angels at Wiley Post Elementary or doing the spring melodrama at Chandler High School, or breaking my hand in the middle of a performance of “On the Night of January 16th” at John Brown University.
Since I started working at the newspaper, I have had the absolute joy of watching a new generation of students find happiness in the arts. I’ve watched North Rock Creek, Chandler and McLoud perform one-acts.I’vewatchedthemarchingbandsatMcLoud, Stroud, Chandler, Meeker, Prague and North Rock Creek. I’ve been to marching band competitions and one-act regionals. Choir concerts. I’ve interviewed so many students about theatre, choir, band and writing.
Every single interview, I’ve met the most amazing teens. Well-spoken. Thoughtful. Kind. Focused. Full of excitement and hope for whatever comes next. I’m honestly in awe of them. And behind every amazing kid, I’ve met a teacher who is full of creativity and passion. Who not only nurtures technique and skill, but also shows kids how to love what they do, no matter how good they may be. In return, their students bring heart to every single performance, whether it’s for fun or competition.
Reporting on the arts is one of the true joys of my job; getting to watch these kids grow as artists and musicians and actors and people over the years, and then go on to the next step, taking that joy and passion with them. It proves to me over and over again that we need to support the arts in our schools. We need to support our educators. Because when you have a teacher who loves what they do, who loves teaching the arts, it changes lives.
So, support your theatre kids, your choir singers, your marching bands. Read your student newspapers. Encourage kids to find a route of self-expression that works for them. That they love, even if they aren’t going to make a career out of it. We all need outlets. We all need expression. We all need the arts.