As someone who has been enthralled by the arts from a young age and who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, I can attest to the importance of the field. Music, film, dance and the written word have inspired me and shaped me since I was a little girl. These things continue to influence my life, which is why it has pleased me to see the focus Franklin County has placed on the arts.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Russellville Academy of Performing Arts Spring Recital and Addie’s Flip, Tip & Tap Dance Revue. Both events showcased students from Franklin County and their many talents.

I believe it is so important for children to have a creative outlet, and these fine arts programs plus the ones at the schools provide Franklin County children with healthy, productive extracurricular activities.

Several seniors from Russellville High School received fine arts scholarships to different colleges and universities this year, which proves the importance of providing children with these opportunities. Not everyone can be athletic or technologically-minded; so, giving children a place where they feel accepted and free to express themselves however best fits them is vital to their self-confidence and maturing minds.

The success of these programs has a lot to do with the people running them. All of the instructors and leaders I have met have been extremely passionate about what they do. The students I have talked to all agree that it’s like one big, happy family when they are all together, and that couldn’t be achieved without the proper leadership.

It takes knowledge to teach, but it also takes compassion to lead and inspire individuals to pursue their dreams.