It was with bitter disappointment that I accepted the cruel hand fate had dealt me; I was simply not designed to be an athlete.
The four sets of stairs I had to climb throughout the day to get to my classes at Newburyport High School brutally reiterated this. But, rather than resign myself to a boring life full of schoolwork and devoid of Olympian interests, I decided it was time to look for hobbies elsewhere.
Lucky for me, I did not have to search far. I found that there were limitless options right in front of my face, but I had been too busy watching the scoreboard to pay attention. Between electives, community organizations, and afterschool clubs, Newburyport gave me plenty of things to choose from.
Slam Poetry Team at Newburyport High School
One of the more obscure of these opportunities can be found in the recently founded Slam Poetry team. The team is mentored by Newburyport High School literature teacher Deb Szabo, the mastermind behind Poetry Soup. Slam Poetry provides a stage for students to present original poems in an interesting and dynamic way while also competing against other schools. The concept is a blend of performance art and contemporary writing and comes across as a sort of street-smarts-meet-classroom-arts entertainment that is captivating to observe.
I found my own personal passion through music. Though I chose to take lessons with E.J. Ouellette at Whole Music Studios in near-by Byfield, Newburyport itself has plenty to offer in that department, between music lessons at the Tannery, the High School varsity choir, and the Middle and High School bands.
Ouellette has been a music teacher in the area for many years. He performs in the band Crazy Maggy and can school pupils in the art of practically any instrument. As a ukulele player, I know this first-hand. Through his Young Artist’s Development program, I have been able to go above and beyond my own expectations. Through these classes, Ouellette aids students in developing an original song concept from lyrics, to instrumentation, to production. Several of us have ended up with finished products that have actually sold on itunes. As a young musician, this is an accomplishment that brings a lot of satisfaction.
Students Finding and Exploring their Talents and Friendships
As a teen, I know how important the four years students spend in High School can be. They provide the first opportunity young adolescents have to explore their interests and talents without the added pressure of trying to fit in that is associated with middle school. The variety of arts programs at the High School and in the community allow for the formation of creative and interesting friendships that often last a lifetime.