 Media Credit: Marti Curtis Tacoma School of the Arts
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 Media Credit: Marti Curtis TSA students Kennedy Sarda, Dan Johnson, Sam Edwards
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Dressed in a style all their own, they sit on the University of Washington, Tacoma stairs and are seen walking around campus. Often they are conversing and laughing with one another in small groups. It might seem as though they just hang out without any specific direction.
"I'm not quite sure why they're on campus or what they are doing," said UWT Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences senior Kristen Humphrey.
Tacoma School of the Arts (TSOTA) students are UWT's neighbors and share much of the campus, yet they are often stereotyped and marginalized. There is much more to these aspiring students of the arts than one might think with an initial glance.
Bridgett Fisher, 17 and a TSOTA senior, said that she often hears people respond to her school as a druggy school. She is frustrated by this stereotype because TSOTA students are quite smart and do indeed have direction in their lives. It is their choice to apply to and attend the highly challenging school.
TSOTA is centered on the belief that students make the most of their education when they take ownership of it. The school fulfills this belief by creating an environment where students can discover their passions.
In contrast to typical public high schools, this school has an atmosphere of students who want to be there, rather than a majority who feel forced to be there.
"Where it comes along as different is the attitude toward people, teachers, learning and community; it is mostly all really positive," said Fisher, as she compared TSOTA to other public schools.
Teachers feel the same way.
Laura Cassidy, the creative writing and journalism teacher, said "I remember high school as a place of extreme competition and jealousy. For the most part, TSOTA students support each other, their friendships and associations cross many different boundaries. I guess it seems to me that they have a sense of 'we're all in this together'."
There is a real sense of community among the faculty and students. They enjoy working together and helping each other excel.
Fisher is thankful for this supportive environment as well.
"I am so glad I go to TSOTA. If I didn't, I would be at Henry Foss High School and I was not happy with myself there," she said.
Another student, John Knickerbocker, a 15-year-old sophomore, said the classes are more accelerated and compact than at a regular school. Also, he said he learns faster than at his past schools.
Knickerbocker would be attending South Kitsap High School but instead he sacrifices time to come to TSOTA to pursue his passions in music and cello. He leaves his house at 6:30 a.m. and returns home at 4 p.m.
"Overall, I think it is worth it," he said about his attendance at TSOTA.
These driven TSOTA students are seen around UWT, but when they are sitting on the stairs or in the rooms it is usually because they have a break or because they are en route to one of their classes held on the campus.
Fisher enjoys the UWT atmosphere, but sometimes feels judged by students as being unmotivated and into habits such as drugs and smoking.
"I cannot stand it when they [UWT students] ask me for cigarettes or for a lighter. It makes me mad, like they think I smoke or something."
On the contrary, these students are highly motivated. Of course, some might be involved in drugs or other typical teenage shortfalls and temptations, but most of them have vision for their lives.
Many students go on to four-year universities or music and dance conservatories. Others continue on in trade schools for art, audio recording or photography.
Fisher has aspirations to become a graphic designer and Knickerbocker plans on attending a four-year university, possibly UW.
TSOTA students' motivated character is even apparent before they enter the school. There is an in-depth application process.
The admittance process involves submitting a portfolio with present grades, artwork, and biographical information, participating in a musical or artistic audition and an interview.
Once accepted into the program, students must commit to being full-time students for three years. This means that no one is admitted before or after the tenth grade.
The students must meet all typical state requirements for high school students, including tests like the Washington Assessment of Student Learning exam (WASL).
They take general requirement classes like writing, reading and mathematics as well.
Additionally, the school provides classes in performing and visual arts to give students advanced training in those fields. Individuals are encouraged to develop their own style while being taught by artistic professionals.
Cassidy is one of these adjunct artists from the community who was hired to teach. She thought it would be an interesting experience, and so far she has really enjoyed the opportunity to work with the students.
"I love working with them and their ideas; I consider it a privilege," Cassidy said. "They're smart, they're creative, they're aware of the benefits of being at TSOTA."
The TSOTA students are in fact anything but their unmotivated stereotypes. They are around the UWT campus to pursue their passions and to discover who they are.
2008 Woodie Awards