FORT WORTH, Texas–ILTexas hosted its second annual fine arts competition for its Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth area campuses on Saturday, March 25, and April 1, respectively. Over 2,000 ILTexas students participated in the event where they showcased their fine arts skills from paintings and drawings to performing arts such as dance and music. ILTexas Keller-Saginaw High School (KSHS) was the host campus for the April 1 event while ILTexas Katy-Westpark High School hosted ILTexas Houston area students. The KSHS event also served as a fundraiser to support the fine arts programs within the school. 

“It is important that students have the opportunity to perform in front of a judge so they can learn how to practice effectively and how to manage their nerves at a young age,” said Kerri Keller, Director of the Fine Arts program at ILTexas. “Obtaining a medal for their accomplishments undoubtedly showed them that hard work pays off.”

Students competed in their chosen categories which included theater, dance, guitar, orchestra, and art. 

For Alicia Bowman, a substitute teacher at ILTexas KSHS who served as a judge for the theater competition, the fine arts program is an important part of students’ learning. 

“The fine arts [program is]  invaluable, because it's at a moment in time where you get to express yourself [and] have a chance to extend and challenge yourself,” she said. “ [As] teachers, we have to let [students] know the fine arts are an extension of who we are inside.”