“The Media Arts Academy will provide opportunity and 21st century learning that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. This is an opportunity that can help shape your future and allow you to pursue your dreams.” The booming voice of the principal echoed through the crowded conference room filled with 50 or so students and their parents.
Everyone had assembled to register for this new charter school that would kickoff during the second semester of the school year. After taking a tour of the recording and media arts studios it was easy to see all the kids at the orientation knew this was where they belonged.
With dreams to be aspiring movie directors, song artists and graphic designers, this seemed to be a perfect fit to escape the routine of public school. I couldn’t help but imagine myself at this new school, getting to do the things I love most like playing the guitar, singing and writing music. If I was accepted, it felt like a clear decision to take the risk and give this new school a try.
Two weeks later when I got my acceptance letter, the reality sunk in. For almost three years this tall, white bricked building had been my whole world. Although this was the first test run of the Media Arts school, the shiny new possibility seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.
Never really being a big risk taker, I had almost convinced myself to go just to prove that I could. My parents were unsure about the switch but said they would support me no matter what. Gathering and turning in the student information packets to the office of the new school, I thought I had made my final decision. I thought this was it.
Then came the day I had been thinking about all week – I had to formally withdrawl from Marcus. As I walked around the familiar hallways, I realized how truly happy I was here. Getting a taste of something that I had always envisioned was almost enough to make me forget about all the things that were keeping me here.
At the last minute I decided to stay. Thinking about changing schools showed me how much I appreciate being at Marcus. I’m sure the kids at the Media Arts Academy love getting to chase after their ambitions, but there’s not a day I regret staying. Maybe it would be good for me to be there getting to pursue the things I’m wishing for. But I know one day, if it’s meant to be, it’ll be, without a doubt, exactly how it should.
