Nearly everyone turns to the arts in times of joy and times of sorrow: the song you danced to at your wedding; the poem that helped you through the loss of a friend; the film or play or book that made you laugh or cry or think. Nearly everyone turns to the arts, but the arts in public schools are often the first to go when there’s a budget crisis.

My youngest two children graduate from Northampton High School in June. One is headed to Vassar College to study music — in large part due to the tireless dedication of educators like Dave Grout, Susan Dillard, and Paul Kinsman. My son is not alone. I have witnessed the blossoming of countless NHS students as they discover their voice and their confidence on the stage. Many can teach but few can inspire. These three performing arts teachers not only inspire their students but the entire community, as we all benefit from a public school that makes art for us all.

Our city schools face a severe budget deficit and many hard decisions. The arts at NHS are more than about putting on a good show. The arts teach young people the value of hard work and dedication; they create a place of belonging and inclusion where diverse talents are honored; most of all, the arts celebrate what makes us human: our ability to bear witness to our lives — the joys and the sorrows — through story and song.

Michelle Valois

Florence