By Paul Steffan

It’s very difficult to consider where to begin as I sit down to write about the ways in which the arts have impacted my experience at Keith Country Day School.

I could possibly start by describing the success of the music program which supports several band, string, and vocal ensembles in addition to two student-directed a cappella ensembles. I could also talk about the theater program that has grown immensely, expanding our stage space, upping the ante on our technical production value, and consistently raising the bar of what is possible to do in a high school program and on a high school budget.

However, the things that I have listed above are representative of the things that have been achieved by the fine arts department, but they do not even begin to cover everything that is learned as part of an arts education.

As an arts student, valuable life skills such as meeting deadlines, and time management have been emphasized to me. These skills are indispensable as everyday life is full of tasks that need to be organized and completed in a timely manner. I have also learned that every job, no matter how small should be done with the greatest possible care and doing my best is all that anyone should expect.

Arts are the vital counterpart to pure academics as they teach not only the valuable life skills listed above, but also the ability to look at situations more holistically.

I have been privileged to receive an arts education from Keith Country Day School, and I look forward to seeing future growth in the arts at Keith.

Paul Steffan was a member of the Class of 2012. He has been a part of more than 60 productions at both Keith and within the community. In 2010 he was selected for the coveted Mayor’s Arts Award and this year was picked to compose “Almost Main” at the Illinois Theater Festival.