As the school year winds to a close, I find myself sitting in the quiet after another incredible season of concerts, plays and dance recitals—each one a vibrant celebration of our students’ growth, creativity and courage. These end-of-year performances are not just events on a calendar; they are milestones. They are memories. They are powerful moments in a child’s life that echo far beyond the stage.
I’ve watched young performers take their first nervous steps under the lights, and I’ve seen them stand tall and beam with pride as the final curtain falls. Whether they’re singing in a graduation ceremony, performing a solo in a spring concert or dancing in a recital, these are the moments they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. And so will we.
As adults—parents, educators and community members—we must be intentional about showing up for these moments. Our presence sends a message: what you’re doing matters. The arts are not extras; they are essential. They help our children build confidence, express emotion, and connect deeply with others. They provide a place for students to belong, to be seen and to shine.
At The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, we see firsthand how the arts bring people together. A full auditorium isn’t just a sign of support — it’s the heartbeat of a healthy, thriving community. Grandparents, siblings, neighbors and friends gather to share in the joy of live performance. These shared experiences can’t be streamed, and they can’t be replaced.
Sure, the small screen is fun. A TikTok dance might make us smile, and a quick video can go viral. But those digital moments come and go. What truly lasts is the memory of standing ovations, teary-eyed parents and proud hugs in the lobby after the show.
This is why we must advocate. We must continue to inform our school boards, city governments and county leaders that the performing arts are not just enrichment—they are education. They are life lessons. They are where we learn to work hard, to take risks, to collaborate and to celebrate.
As we look ahead, let’s make a collective promise: to keep showing up, to keep supporting the arts and to keep creating opportunities for our children to be seen, heard and celebrated. Because dancing in a recital, singing at graduation—these are not just moments. They are milestones. And they are worth everything.
