Aiken
County Public Schools
Tammy Newman
In
the mind of a child, a June day typically means a break
from school, sleeping in, whimsical outings in the sun,
and complete mental and physical relaxation… unless
you are an Aiken County GATEWAY student. Students who
apply, audition, and enroll into the GATEWAY program
are privy to ample sunshine, loads of fun, but are far
from resting any part of their creative minds and bodies.
GATEWAY is the Gifted and Talented Education with Artistic
Youth summer program which serves grades 3-12. It pairs
students with acclaimed, skilled professionals of the
arts for one month of intense yet fascinating training.
The initial week of the program could match the 2nd-3rd
month of artistic training in any ordinary setting.
As Mr. Joe Laorenza, program director, escorted me through
the hallways of Kennedy Middle School recently, I soon
realized the GATEWAY program was everything but ordinary.
Painters, dancers, actors, writers, and more were abuzz
in each classroom. I was excited for the parents who
were taking advantage of the open house to witness their
child’s abilities. I was envious of the talented
students, the passionate teachers, and one very proud
program director. Mr. Laorenza boasted about, popping
in and out of classes as students called him by name
yet continued to work at their craft. Class offerings
include all aspects of music and visual arts, creative
writing, drama, dance; both modern and ballet, and technical
aspects of theater with some computer technology. That
is a far reach from GATEWAY’s humble beginnings
in the mid 1980’s when the program was first introduced.
“The
program has come a long way and this year marks the
25th Anniversary for GATEWAY. This year we were able
to add music stands, new camera equipment, instruments,
and a printer capable of printing 11’17 photographs.
I can’t stress enough the importance of arts education
and the benefit’s GATEWAY provides our district,”
said Mr. Laorenza. State monies fund the program. Not
only do the participants, both educators and students,
dedicate a month of their summer vacation, their days
are even longer than the traditional school day they
are accustomed to. That does not seem to matter since
the entire day is dedicated to their artistic talents.
It was a short time ago that the district had to furlough
the program for two consecutive years. Once the program
was revived, GATEWAY was filled with excited teachers
and students. With enrollments increasing every year
(ex. 112 students in 2009; 196 students in 2010), it
has quickly become one of the most popular extra-curricular
programs and THE place to be during the first month
of summer. This year, over 299 applications were processed
including returning students as well as new applicants.
The 247 auditioning students resulted in the 196 enrolled
participants. There are 22 teachers with backgrounds
in their areas of expertise to include public and private
educational settings, studios, theaters and galleries
across the nation.
Our
school district has no shortage of artistic youth brimming
with the tenacity and fortitude necessary to excel in
GATEWAY. For students who take the challenge to forgo
traditional summer vacations in order to receive a month
of expert training, this is an experience with immediate
as well as long term advantages. Each Friday students
are entertained with performances by visiting artists
as well as their teachers. The high school students
will receive a full advanced fine arts credit after
completing the program. In addition to that added bonus,
they will also witness a live production of Phantom
of the Opera in Atlanta on July 1. Former GATEWAY students
have gone on to become professors of music at colleges
and universities, music teachers, symphony performers,
illustrators, theater actors, and featured in TV advertisements
just to name a few.
The
arts are a valued aspect of our community and GATEWAY
is yet another doorway for our young artists to discover
their full potential. Individuals interested in next
summer’s program may contact Michele Conner at
803.641.2490 or mconner@aiken.k12.sc.us and visit our
district website (www.aiken.k12.sc.us) during the school
year for updates on the GATEWAY application process.
GATEWAY is in session June 8-June 30 this year. The
public is invited to the free 2-day showcase extravaganza
held at 7pm on June 28-29 at Kennedy Middle School.
You will witness the noteworthy accomplishments of our
budding young artists and decide if GATEWAY could be
a part of your child‘s future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar of Important Dates
February 1, 2010 - Applications to schools
February 26, 2010 - Applications mailed back to Mr.
Laorenza
March 12, 2010 - Audition times sent to school coordinators
March 27, 2010 - Audition at Aiken High School
April 30, 2010 - Audition results sent to applicants
through courier
May 14, 2010 - Student response mailed to Mr. Laorenza
June 8, 2010 - acGATEWAY Program begins at Kennedy Middle
School
June 8, 2010 - Parent’s Meeting (8:15 AM)
June 12, 2010 - Saturday Field Trip (high school students
only)
June 16, 2010 - Open House (8:15AM-12:30PM)
June 28, 2010 - Elementary School Showcase (7:00PM)
June 29, 2010 - Elementary Program ENDS: 1/2 day (8:15AM-12:00PM)
June 29, 2010 - Middle/High School Showcase (7:00PM)
June 30, 2010 - Middle/High School Program Ends: 1/2
day (8:00AM-12:00PM)
July 1, 2010 - Phantom of the Opera ; Atlanta, GA
