If you are going to have a prepared speech, make it sound like this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgcueWm2FU
At the Kerry Washington was awarded the President’s Award for her work on the Obama campaign and as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
What I really connected to within her speech was the strong correlation she mentioned between the arts and success in other areas of education. I had the privilege of growing up in a house that cultivated creativity, but even with my exposure to music and acting, there was so much I learned and gravitated towards through arts education.
I had the opportunity to make my own jewelry box in wood shop class that still sits on my parlor table with pride. In home economics we learned to make pillows —one (of many sewn thereafter) sits on my bed. As I type this, out of the left corner of my eye I can see the painting I am working on and can recall the first time I learned real painting techniques in class. It was the opportunities to perform and create through school activities that influenced me to look into extracurriculars and helped create who I have become.
I know the impact I felt is not unique to me, because so many students from my school have looked to pursue long-term careers in non-traditional areas through exposure in the classroom.
For these reasons, amongst many others, I truly believe in the value of the arts in the classroom.
I salute Kerry for her efforts!!
Find more information about the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities here.