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This past Saturday I had the honor of attending a graduation ceremony
recognizing those in the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee. My boyfriend's brother, Mike, was among the graduates
who were recognized.
Mike received his bachelor's degree in Art Education, with a dream of becoming
an art teacher. Mike is an excellent artist, and I'm excited that he'll
soon join us in the professional working world.
He was just one of dozens of students that worked hard toward a degree in
the arts. The amount of students who graduated with degrees in the arts came
as somewhat of a surprise to me, especially in a world where money has dictated
how much time and energy is dedicated to arts.
Among the many areas of study in the Peck School of the Arts were art
and design, dance, film, music, theatre and inter-arts. The ceremony was dotted
with slideshows of drawings, paintings and photographs, a soloist who
performed and a cellist that also performed live at the event.
In a world full of uncertainty, I commend these students for following their
hearts and not letting the pessimistic voices of others along the road lead
them astray from the arts. Although I wondered what a student with a degree
in dance would do, that student most certainly has an idea, a dream.
The arts are still important and I have faith that those still dedicated to
them will keep them alive for many generations to come.