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Support These Talents

As a parent of four children in the Clinton school system and active member of the “Friends” of groups and PTA, I am well aware of the incredible instruction happening in our district with regards to the arts. Some outside the school system may not be as aware.

I recently completed my fourth year as PTA Reflections Art competition chairperson. This is a National PTA competition. Students at The Morgan School and Jared Eliot Middle School are encouraged to submit their artistic interpretation of the theme in any of the six disciplines: visual art, photography, literature, musical composition, dance choreography, and film production. Each year, more than 30 submissions are evaluated by local experts in their fields. I am proud that, as a community, Clinton supports its arts.

The 2016/17 theme was: “What is Your Story?” Local first place winners in each category were submitted in January to the state competition. Once again, Clinton had multiple winners at the state level. Eliot students Ashley Inglis placed in the Dance Choreography category, Jahayra Lopez placed in the Photography category, and Mason Barron placed in the Musical Composition category.

Clinton teachers help cultivate and support these talents, understanding that the arts are vital to a well-rounded education. Unfortunately, as a nation, we are seeing threats to the funding of art and music programs. We need to start by ensuring at a local level our art and music education programs are not jeopardized. I encourage your readers to stand with me on May 10 and support the budget that allows Clinton as a community to have a brilliant story!

Shelby Auletta

Clinton