Jadyn Fording
The Arts Can Make You Smart(er)
The 19th annual Stars Fell on Alabama Talent Showcase was Saturday, October 5. The two-act show featured twenty-four performances by elementary, middle, and high school Holy Spirit students, family members, and even teachers got in on the fun with a Cheer Squad (seriously, see the YouTube video). In addition to numerous singing acts, there were talented dancers, drummers, and guitarists.
Four seniors performed in their final Talent Showcase at Holy Spirit and they did not disappoint. Avery Lake’s performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” began with her oddly facing stage right, but quickly became a crowd favorite as she turned to reveal a unique split outfit of pant-suit and evening gown. Sydney Perry’s performance of “Waving through a Window” was haunting for me as an avid fan of Broadway musicals, and Ben Midkiff and Saniya Singh rightfully closed the show with their outstanding performance of “Everybody Talks.”
The question foremost on my mind after the last act though was, will Disciples of the Basement will stay together as a band? Regardless, I hope to see Jentzen Moore perform solo on the drums next year or find a new group to play with for the 2020 Talent Showcase because he killed it on the drums.
The show was hosted by Jarran Arrington, who skillfully kept the show moving while also entertaining the crowd. I would love to see her develop a stand-up act and audition next year to perform.
I was lucky enough to participate in the talent showcase this year along with so many other talented people. It means a lot to me that our school is giving us opportunities to express ourselves like this, whether through music, dance, playing an instrument, performing in a group, or doing a unique performance like Jonas Senkbeil solving a Rubik’s Cube in under two minutes (officially the shortest act of the night!). Not only do events such as this allow students to grow as artists and people, arts in schools have academic benefits as well.
Research shows that students involved in the arts, whether it be performing arts like theatre, dance, or singing or other art mediums such as photography, painting, or drawing had better standardized test scores compared to students not involved in the arts. A study released by the Dana Foundation in 2008, led by nine neuroscientists from prestigious universities, asked the question “Are smart people drawn to the arts or does art training make people smarter?” They found compelling evidence that students in art classes were smarter because of art training. Arts classes increase attention span and improve memorization skills, which can be applied to other subjects. Therefore, arts education can make people smarter.
Not only does arts education make you smarter, it also benefits low income students and youth at risk of dropping out of school. Many students at risk of dropping out cite their participation in arts classes as the reason they stay in school. An 11-year national study on students from low income neighborhoods found that the students who participated in some form of art where more likely to be high academic achievers, good writers, be elected to class office, or participate in science or math fair.
I am so grateful to Mrs. McClendon for producing and directing the Stars Fell on Alabama Talent Showcase, as well as other arts education and opportunities we have at Holy Spirit. It is so important that we advocate for arts education in all schools because the students who need it most may not be able to get it like we do at Holy Spirit.
The Arts Can Make You Smart(er)
The 19th annual Stars Fell on Alabama Talent Showcase was Saturday, October 5. The two-act show featured twenty-four performances by elementary, middle, and high school Holy Spirit students, family members, and even teachers got in on the fun with a Cheer Squad (seriously, see the YouTube video). In addition to numerous singing acts, there were talented dancers, drummers, and guitarists.
Four seniors performed in their final Talent Showcase at Holy Spirit and they did not disappoint. Avery Lake’s performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” began with her oddly facing stage right, but quickly became a crowd favorite as she turned to reveal a unique split outfit of pant-suit and evening gown. Sydney Perry’s performance of “Waving through a Window” was haunting for me as an avid fan of Broadway musicals, and Ben Midkiff and Saniya Singh rightfully closed the show with their outstanding performance of “Everybody Talks.”
The question foremost on my mind after the last act though was, will Disciples of the Basement will stay together as a band? Regardless, I hope to see Jentzen Moore perform solo on the drums next year or find a new group to play with for the 2020 Talent Showcase because he killed it on the drums.
The show was hosted by Jarran Arrington, who skillfully kept the show moving while also entertaining the crowd. I would love to see her develop a stand-up act and audition next year to perform.
I was lucky enough to participate in the talent showcase this year along with so many other talented people. It means a lot to me that our school is giving us opportunities to express ourselves like this, whether through music, dance, playing an instrument, performing in a group, or doing a unique performance like Jonas Senkbeil solving a Rubik’s Cube in under two minutes (officially the shortest act of the night!). Not only do events such as this allow students to grow as artists and people, arts in schools have academic benefits as well.
Research shows that students involved in the arts, whether it be performing arts like theatre, dance, or singing or other art mediums such as photography, painting, or drawing had better standardized test scores compared to students not involved in the arts. A study released by the Dana Foundation in 2008, led by nine neuroscientists from prestigious universities, asked the question “Are smart people drawn to the arts or does art training make people smarter?” They found compelling evidence that students in art classes were smarter because of art training. Arts classes increase attention span and improve memorization skills, which can be applied to other subjects. Therefore, arts education can make people smarter.
Not only does arts education make you smarter, it also benefits low income students and youth at risk of dropping out of school. Many students at risk of dropping out cite their participation in arts classes as the reason they stay in school. An 11-year national study on students from low income neighborhoods found that the students who participated in some form of art where more likely to be high academic achievers, good writers, be elected to class office, or participate in science or math fair.
I am so grateful to Mrs. McClendon for producing and directing the Stars Fell on Alabama Talent Showcase, as well as other arts education and opportunities we have at Holy Spirit. It is so important that we advocate for arts education in all schools because the students who need it most may not be able to get it like we do at Holy Spirit.