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OUR OPINION: Hawthorne kids bring prestige to Bozeman

Bozeman schools know no shortage of accolades for excellence in their educational programs. News of those accomplishments grace the pages of the Chronicle regularly.


 But one distinction described in a page 1 story late last month is worth a second mention: The Hawthorne Elementary School arts program has been chosen as one of five Creative Ticket National Schools of Distinction for 2005 by the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center.

That's no mean feat. To be chosen as one of the five best, out of the tens of thousands of elementary schools in the nation, is truly remarkable.

And it's no accident. Hawthorne has placed an emphasis on its arts program since 1991. Parents pitch in to help by raising $25,000 a year through an art auction to help fund the program.

The school was nominated for the honor by the Montana Arts Alliance and chosen on the merits of videotaped performances and slides sent to a selection committee.

The distinction means that 26 Hawthorne students will travel to Washington, D.C., in March of next year to perform for 25 minutes on the Millennium stage at the Kennedy Arts Center.

Performing is an emphasis in the Hawthorne program, “because the bottom line is, life is a huge performance,” according to Hawthorne Principal Marilyn Delger.

And in the world in which the Hawthorne students will live their adult lives, that will be more true than ever. Professional success - in law, business, education, and many other fields - increasingly hinges on the ability to handle one's self effectively in public speaking situations. The performing arts are an excellent vehicle for developing those skills. And Hawthorne students are a testament to that. With the poise of professional performers, they perform drama, comedy and music at the drop of a hat.

Next March, 26 Hawthorne students will do just that before a national audience. When they do, they will act as the best possible ambassadors that Montana and Bozeman could possibly ask for.

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