BY MYKAYA SPENCER, CHS SOPHOMORE What is the CSD Talent in the Arts? It's a summer-camp style opportunity for middle school students interested in visual arts, choral music, instrumental music, dance, and theater hosted by Clover School District every summer. Students with interest and talent in these areas are invited to attend. CSD Talent in the Arts allows students with a passion for fine arts to showcase their abilities. Many Clover School District students apply and audition for the summer art program at Winthrop University, but available slots in that program are limited. Recognizing the need for students who miss out on the Winthrop opportunity to explore their artistic passions during the summer, the Clover Fine Arts program, under the leadership of Casey Lefler, initiated the CSD Talent in the Arts program. Mrs. Olivia Chinnes, an art teacher at Clover High School, initially served as a visual art teacher in the Talent in the Arts program. Last year, she took on an administrative role when Casey Lefler, Clover School District's Fine Arts Coordinator, moved to a different school system. In her current capacity, Mrs. Chinnes oversees all aspects of the event and highlights that the program empowers students to explore and exhibit their talents and passions in various ways. Three student participants from the CSD Talent in the Arts program, Daniel Hogan, Ariana Quintana, and Braylen Riggins, shared their experiences with The Roaring Eagle. These students were recommended by Mrs. Chinnes as representatives of different fine arts areas that students could explore. The students enjoyed the program and would recommend it to their peers. They had the opportunity to delve deeper into their areas of interest. For instance, Braylen Riggins, a seventh-grade student at Clover Middle School, learned to play the ukulele and sing simultaneously. She readily agreed when asked if she would participate again if given the opportunity. She stated that she would attend again because “I really enjoyed the experience of making new friends and learning new things”. She also shared that “It was really fun to learn about the ukulele because I hadn’t gotten the chance to experiment with this type of instrument before”. When asked what she would tell other students about attending the summer program, Braylen said “You should go because you will have a good experience and you will meet new friends. You will enjoy spending time with new friends that week and you may learn skills you never knew before.” Similarly, Daniel Hogan, a seventh-grade student at Oakridge Middle School, had a positive experience with a focus on musical theater. He would love to participate in the summer arts program again, emphasizing the fun and learning he experienced. In the short week the program lasted, he and his team of participants “created a musical theater production. We wrote the script and collaborated with the summer arts dance participants”. Daniel’s favorite part of the program was participating in musical theater. He added “I got to try musical theater, which is something I probably would never have tried otherwise. It was something I was unsure about but ended up liking more than expected”. When asked what he would tell other students considering attending the CSD Talent in the Arts program, Daniel said “I would certainly recommend it. It is a great experience and something you should definitely try if you get the chance. Go into the experience with an open mind and be ready to try new things”. Ariana Quintana also enjoyed her experience. She has attended the past two years, and described her experience with the following words. “The summer arts program was such an amazing experience, and I would absolutely do it again! The week that we spent taught us a lot of very important skills while still being one of the best and most fun weeks of my life! …In both years that I have done it, I have done a musical theatre that contained a combination of Newsies, Mary Poppins, and several other musicals”. She met new people, made good friends, and even tried a new experience for her: dance. Ariana explains “...I found that I really enjoy dancing. So while it was scary at first, it opened up a whole new line of options for me career-wise”. She also has no hesitation about recommending the program to others. Ariana said “I would absolutely recommend this to other students! It is incredible what you can do in a week with this program, and it can really help with time management”. The week-long experience culminated in a showcase where all students had the opportunity to perform what they had learned for an audience. This showcase was a fitting conclusion to a week of artistic exploration and growth.
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