Despite the heat, the humidity and the general swelter, they have been at it with vigor the last couple of weeks. The drills, the practice, the challenges and the rehearsals have been rigorous and spirited. Through these exercises they build teamwork and a sense of belonging to their group. Some of their cohorts take the fledgling steps toward leadership, demonstrating their ability to motivate and set priorities. Through all this effort and activity, they remain enthusiastic volunteers.
In Camden County, we often associate the former description proudly with our outstanding Wildcat football teams. And, indeed, it fits them and the result of their dedication is evident on the Gilman Stadium field under the “Friday night lights.” It also fits the hundreds of Camden County students involved in theatre, dance, flag corps and band programs, who join nearly 8 million other student participants nationally and more than 80,000 peers in Georgia in preparations for their performing seasons.
By the time you read this, Camden County’s nearly 3,000 high school students will be back in classrooms, energized and full of the business of school, social lives and figuring out their future. For a large number of these students, however, the start of classes will not really be the start of their school year. For them, it started several weeks ago at band camp, theatre work sessions, dance team camp and flag corps practice. While classmates were putting the finishing touches on their tans and making last minute visits to “Mickeydom,” these kids were volunteering their summer time to make their group’s performance more polished and more audience friendly.
I watched them for a while last week, as they practiced indoors and out. I listened to their chatter and marveled at their focus. I also noted the dedication of their teachers and coaches, who were also taking valuable summer moments to help their charges create a special experience. And in all of my observations, I saw and heard a similar refrain: they all wanted to do their best and they all loved being there, sweating and shouting, practicing and sharing.
As the numbers of students in our county find something to love in their arts experience, we need to regard that as an opportunity for our future. There is sufficient evidence to show that these experiences keep kids in school, help them perform better in their classes and in their lives. Our community can become even more special if we regard this as a challenge to create a unique setting for students in the arts, one as unique and well considered as the one we have created for our student athletes. Now is the time for us to start a serious discussion about how a Fine Arts Academy can make our school and our educational process even more successful. There are lots of issues and considerations to be dredged through, but having an earnest conversation on this topic is important and timely.
Opportunities for this week and the future: for an evening of Barbershop music, comedy, and more, catch the Big Orange Chorus in “2006: A Space Oddity,” on Saturday, 8.12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Lazzara Performance Hall on the University of North Florida Main Campus, Fine Arts Center, see www.bigorangechorus.com for details and to order tickets.
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
8.9.06
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