Yearbook Academic Script

Megan Singleton and Kelsey Thompson, Westwind
West Henderson HS (Hendersonville, N.C.)

Back to the Arts: North Carolina Scholar requirements prompt new interest in fine arts

As she reached for her paintbrush and prepared to add the final touches to her project, freshman Jordan Scruggs recalled the reason she decided to sign up for Art I.

“I’ve never been athletic, and I was looking for a way to express myself. I knew I had to take an art to qualify as a North Carolina Scholar, so I decided Art I would be the best for me. I wasn’t sure if I would like it at first, but now it’s one of my favorite classes.” Scruggs said.

Effective this year, freshman and sophomores hoping to be a North Carolina Scholar at graduation were required to take at least one art class to be eligible for the honor. The change in requirements focused new attention on the fine arts department and encouraged student to sign up for classes they might not have considered in the past.

“I’m not a fan of the arts, so I wasn’t planning on taking an art class. When I heard I had to take an art to be an N.C. Scholar, I signed up for arts appreciation. I’m more into sports than art, so it wasn’t the easiest class for me. I can’t say I'm happy about the requirement because there were other classes I would have rather taken,” sophomore Bobby Dylewski said.

Though some students cringed at the thought of getting in touch with their artistic side, others said the changes might not be a bad thing.

“I liked that we have to take an art class to be an N.C. Scholar. I took theater because I enjoyed acting, and I thought it was something I’d be good at. I’m planning on taking other art classes, too, because I just love the arts. It’s good that I can take a class I like and get credit for it at the same time,” freshman Chris Fink said.

Assistant Superintendent Kathy Revis said the fine arts requirement was an attempt to get students to develop new interests.

“They wanted to see a more well-rounded student and promote the arts. It’s important that students consider many aspects when choosing their classes, instead of just choosing ones that are more grade oriented,” Revis said.

Since the art requirement was a new addition, juniors and seniors did not have to take a fine arts class to be an N.C. Scholar. However, some upperclassmen believed that requiring an art class was a good idea.

“I thinking the new guidelines are great because what you din in art, dance, and theater gives you memories that stay with you forever,” senior Sarah Beasley said. “They often provide a relaxing break from academic classes, and you get to experience things you might not have tried otherwise.”

Some upperclassmen said that taking an art class gave them an insight into life after graduation.

“Adding an art to the list of requirements for N.C. Scholar does seem like a good thing to do," junior David Holden said. “It opens student eyes to a wide variety of career options. I took Dance Honors A, and we had to choreograph a dance as part of our grade. It as definitely a challenge, but it helped me gain an aspect of what goes on in a choreographer’s head. I have a newfound respect for that occupation.”