The opportunity to attend arts advocacy day this year as presented to me by EdTA and the Hawkins Award is both humbling and energizing. I sat back to rest after a rehearsal in February, and decided to write an essay to be considered as a Hawkins Award contestant. The decision to write this seemed like a long shot, but paid off in the best possible way. Soon, I was notified that I was a winner of this grant, and that I had opportunity to represent my state at National Arts Advocacy Day. This was exciting and terrifying at the same time. I knew I would love to travel and learn from the trip, but also knew that I may not be the strongest advocate in the presence of politicians on both sides of the aisle. Especially knowing the great line advocates from my state that have represented us in the past, and I hoped they would be there along side me for the event.
Americans for The Arts soon got in touch with me, notifying me that I was the lone person registered for the event from my state. My hopes of my mentors being along my side were shattered, and the terrifying components of this trip just went up exponentially. However, these mentors forwarded me all pieces of advice that they could, and I was able to set up more appointments with congressional offices then I knew I could handle. I arrived in D.C. after closing a show, and made it through the entire event on adrenaline. Americans for the Arts armed me with the most incredible facts of the job making, lifesaving, and educational lifeline we know the arts to be. Everything that we, as educators, know to be true about the work we do was presented to us in facts, figures, and unshakable truths. With this at my disposal I took the capital by storm. Seven Representatives, two Senators and a White House briefing later, I now feel like the advocate that I was entrusted to be by EdTA and Americans for the Arts.
I consider myself to be fortunate to have experienced this event and life opportunity. I would recommend this event to all of my peers in both education and the arts. I feel like I better understand our democratic process, and have restored optimism in how our nation operates. I am now more prepared to advocate to my peers, parents, and administration on a daily basis. This is what excites me most, knowing that I can have a huge impact on where it matters most, my community.
Thanks to all that made this possible for me!