Over the past few years, state legislators across the nation have forced revenue caps on public schools and school districts have been forced to cut back spending on both music and art programs. Their reasoning is often because the music and arts programs aren’t government-tested like reading, writing and math. However, statistics prove that students who are a part of the performing arts score better on government mandated tests, including the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). Arts of many forms play a vital role in shaping ones character and values, which cannot be taught in a traditional classroom.
I developed the program, H.E.A.R.T., to reach out by helping, expressing, achieving, reaching, and teaching our youth and school systems across the state. My own heart has been filled with joy because of the opportunities I have had to express myself through dance, painting, and singing. As Miss Portsmouth’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen, I have had the opportunity to share my love of the arts with others. Most recently, I performed and spoke at a benefit for the restoration of the Ro-Na Theater in Ironton, Ohio. The mission of the Ro-Na Restoration Project is to return and sustain the tradition of professional theatre to the residents of the City of Ironton. After my performance, I worked with a local and newly published author to help present an art project to several local area schools to help tell the children the story of the City of Ironton's downtown revitalization efforts.
There are seven ways to communicate information, and words and numbers are only two of them. The other five are movement, sounds, images, objects, and spaces, all of which are provided through the arts. According to the Gallup organization, 95% of Americans believe that music is a key component in a child’s well-rounded education. In addition, most believe participation in music helps teach children discipline. It is proven by the College Entrance Examination Board that students in an arts appreciation class score higher on both verbal and math than students with no arts participation.
It is my goal to help schools and students experience significant advances in achievement and student growth as the arts supplement their curriculum. Keeping the arts in schools will increase creativity and self-esteem, as well as improve self-expression. I have traveled throughout my local area by performing and speaking for benefits raising funds for restoration projects of local theaters. At the benefit ceremonies, I am given the opportunity to speak about my platform and perform.
Becoming Miss America’s Outstanding Teen will provide me with an opportunity to reach out to a wider spectrum of teachers, children and parents. My main goal is to inspire those who feel hesitant about embracing their creative self. It is my mission to help provide an artistic outlet in the lives of our children, express my opinions and success with the arts, achieve academic and personal success, reach new levels of excellence, and continue to teach the arts. In addition, I plan to continue my support to the local, state, and national efforts to keep the arts alive and in schools.
