These days at Quitman High School there are more smiles and most of the frowns are only found onstage expressed through the art of drama. Yes, Quitman High School located in Clarke County, Mississippi, began its arts emphasis last school year and when classes resumed in August, the arts were on campus to welcome all students.

Three new and essential components arrived on campus almost at the same time.

New principal: Dr Howard Savage

New teacher: Mrs. Elizabeth Hines

Inspired student body, especially Bea Shiferaw

Mrs. Hines, the new teacher, shares:

“When I interviewed at QHS, I interviewed for an English position. As soon as Dr. Savage found out that my certification was in theatre he jumped at the chance to make a change. He started a whole new theatre position just for me. Over the past year and a half, Dr. Savage and I have also started a debate team and a dance team. Quitman High School felt like home from the moment I walked on campus. Dr. Savage knows the importance of the arts and we can see the positive impact it has had on a lot of these kids. When you have the support and encouragement of your boss and the community, anything is possible.”

Quitman High School attended University of Southern Mississippi’s Drama Fest South Competition last December and received two all-star cast awards and the Spirit of Festival award which is voted on by students and staff of USM. The award cited the most behaved and positive group of students when backstage.

This means, after only two years, QHS has made great strides not only with performance arts but within the student body: positive attitudes, excitement, uplifted mindsets and I might add the teachers are happier as well. With excitement and positive attitudes more benefits come forward: Better grades, less absenteeism, less behavioral problems and a new outlook.

Plus, the Quitman community is overwhelmed with pride. Yes, great things are on the way to Clarke County.

One of the students who benefited is Bea Shiferaw, a hardworking sophomore. An inspiring actress, Bea has performed in every performance at QHS since the beginning of the theatre program (Panther Players Drama Club). She competes with QHS Debate Team and most recently Bea placed in final competition for the statewide Poetry Out Loud recitation competition. It was her second year to compete and first time to go to Jackson where the statewide winner will be announced. She will recite “Traveling Through the Dark” by William E. Stafford and “Rondeau” by Leigh Hunt.

I’m not a betting woman (well, maybe a little), but if so, I would put my money on Bea. You see the first year when Mrs. Elizabeth Hines announced her intention and great hope to bring Poetry Out Loud to QHS, I volunteered to serve as a judge because of my great love for POL and also because I have served two years as a statewide judge and two years as a regional judge.

The first year was small in numbers but when I heard Bea recite, I knew great things were to come. On that day I shared with Mrs. Hines that I felt as if one day Bea could be a statewide winner, perhaps even a national winner, however at that time she did not place in the statewide competition.

But she has this year!

So mark a big red X on your calendar for Monday, March 5, and write in Bea’s name, because if she is selected as state winner, her next stop is Washington DC for nationals. It could happen.

It all happened because the arts came to Quitman High School.

Anne B McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her web site: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.