Your kids have talent

I want to tell you a story. Its a story that I think you know, but that sometimes we forget. Before I start, I think a little background is needed for this so you understand the context.

Dateline Freehold, NJ. The year - 198something. 5th grade. Mr. Shrieves, whose name I am probably spelling wrong, was our teacher. We had a play. I don't recall the name. I do recall the lead was played by Scott Solomon. I had one line. I had to walk on stage, stand in front of the microphone, and say "The Emperor." Then I walked to the side, stood by Heidi Brueckner, and watched. Well, except for in the dress rehearsal, when Heidi called my name, I turned, and my sword sent the wicker baskets flying with a noise that you could hear throughout the gym. I was shy. I was not a performer. I wish I could have had the "acting chops" of my friend Scott. (By the way, we did what he said he was going to do for as long as I can remember - he became a professional musician.)

Dateline, San Diego, CA. Fast forward a few years to high school. I was the new kid in school. My freshman English teacher was also the speech and debate coach. He asked me to try out. I didn't know what speech and debate was, but it sounded interesting. 4 years later, after losing my accent, finding the girl of my dreams, and growing up a bit, I stood in front of a packed audience, including the school board and said "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is important, but what they conceal is crucial." Who would have thought in 7 short years, the kid who could barely get out "The Emperor" could give an entire speech to an auditorium. For that, I thank Mr. Pacilio, aka Coach.

Dateline, Elk Grove, CA. Today a few months shy of turning 40, I went to a school assembly.  I have spent the last few years going to VAPA assemblies. My 3rd grader loves them. He is the showman. He has sung in the choir, performed in plays, and participated in VAPA. He simply loves it.

My 6th grader, on the other hand, reminds me of me. He is shy and reserved. He is quiet. He is not going to be the first kid to stand up in front of a group and perform. I get it.

But today was the last VAPA performance for my 6th grader. He danced, he sang and then he did the "Harlem Shake." I admit it, I didn't know it was the Harlem Shake until someone told me. But there he was, dancing and the audience was applauding and enjoying it. I hope, one day, he will remember this like I remember "The Emperor."

I also realized that these kids have talent. A lot of talent. We just don't get a chance to see it.

We are lucky that our kids go to Sims. They are the only elementary school with VAPA, as far as I know. Every single kid in the school gets a chance to sing and dance. Let me repeat that: every single kid, whether they are an honors student, a student who needs more motivation, a student with a learning disability or a student with a physical limitation, gets a chance to perform through VAPA. They get the opportunity to perform. For some kids, they come out of their shell. For others, they get a chance to shine at what they do. I saw kids doing handsprings, cartwheels and splits that I couldn't have done at my most fit. It was simply amazing.

Today, I realized that this program does more for our kids. It is not just about singing and dancing. It is about building confidence. It is about showing kids that they can do things that they may not have thought were possible.

I also realized that your kids, my kids, our kids, have talent. Yes, real talent. These kids blew me away. I admit it - I was impressed. Every kid, from the kindergarteners to the 6th graders impressed me. Every adult involved from the principal to the VAPA teacher to the teachers whose kids were involved in the performance to the teachers who kept their children quiet during the performance and, of course, to the volunteers, impressed me. This took some huge amount of coordination and they pulled it off without a hitch.

My challenge to you: get involved with these kids. Talk to your principal about a program like this. Volunteer to help. They need people who can create the performances, run lights and sound, copy programs, etc.... In a town with as much diversity as Elk Grove, in a district as big and diverse as Elk Grove Unified School District, we should be able to make this a program that every kid can participate in, something that can build their self esteem, bring out their talents and remind us how amazing our kids are.

To the staff and students at Joseph Sims: thanks for today's reminder. You did a great job!