As I walk through the halls of my old high school I am surrounded my familiar sights and sounds.
Dancers gliding through the hallways.
Artists hanging their paintings all over the lobby.
Actors reading their lines in a corner.
Vocalists chanting their rhythms.
The school is filled with life and radiates a sense of creativity that comes from being submerged into a world of art.
Naturally, this is a very romanticized depiction of a small high school- no more than 300 students- in downtown Hagerstown.
In reality, it looks like a large, fancy town home in the middle of a dispirited looking town.
When you walk in, you'll probably see the Musical Theatre ensemble practicing in the lobby because the black box is being used to make costumes for the musical.
You'll walk to the elevator and be accompanied by the band trying to practice while the orchestra is busy practicing in the band room.
Good luck if you try to get off on the second floor... there's probably no room to move.
If you get off on the third floor, look both ways before you cross. You may get hit by a flying dancer.
We all know that the fourth floor is the prettiest floor. That's where you'll be surrounded by art, light, and sculptures.
But this whole time you were trying to find the creative writers floor. Wrong building.
This is what I love about my old high school. Give me all the craziness, weirdness, disorganization... actually you can keep the disorganization.
All jokes aside, no matter where you go, you'll be surrounded by art and the people who are responsible for creating it- and that is such a beautiful thing.
I'm forever grateful for the small group I consider as family that my high school provided me.
I'm forever grateful for the skills I learned from my instructors and my peers.
Although I decided not to continue in the arts in college, apart of it will always be with me.
When I go into an interview and have to use my improv skills.
When I present in front of the class and have to feel comfortable talking to a large group of people.
When I'm studying for three tests at once and I remember that this is better than studying for three tests at once AND preparing for a show.
Going to an arts school is an experience of a lifetime. It's not for everyone, and it's not meant to be.
But I'm sure glad it was meant for me.
