Upper Darby High School's Arts Program

When my oldest entered Upper Darby High, I just about had a heart attack. I had heard of violence between conflicting "groups". This wasn't just hearsay either, as sometimes it even hit the news. My daughter could not get to her classes on time because the school was huge and overcrowded and some hallways bottle-necked. Drugs were rampant. But then, even in the schools you would least expect it, drugs are there too. There will also always be "groups" etc. As long as the child doesn't fall into the wrong crowd, violence doesn't follow them. I think perhaps this is so in any school.

What I have learned about the school is that if you have any type of specialty or talent, they will bring you to the top. They have amazing programs and possibilities for just about any talent you can think of. For this article I will be discussing their Arts department. To see their programs offered outside of school, take a visit to Upper Darby Leisure Services. For information on future shows and the box office, a visit to Upper Darby Performance Arts Center.

To see their amazing wall of fame, go to this site. Please check it out, it's interesting and pretty impressive. There are some more recent people not included on the list such as Tina Fey, whose movie Mean Girls was actually partially inspired by Upper Darby High-not too sure if that's a good thing. Jamie Kennedy had a fun run with his show the Jamie Kennedy Experiment. He also played Randy Meeks in the Scream series of horror films, and in numerous other comedies such as Malibu's Most Wanted, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, and Son of the Mask.

The alumni list speaks for itself. If you have talent in the arts of any kind, be it musical, acting, drawing, painting even sculpting and any other art related area I have left out, you can and will rise to the top with the help of Upper Darby's Arts department. These teachers are so dedicated and truly love what they are doing. Just a couple of the awards received, Marching Royals Earn First Place Trophy, UDHS Students Win Cappie Awards, Concert Choir and Encore Singers Win Gold at Williamsburg Music Festival, just a couple I gleamed from past newsletters. There are plenty of other awards, but will list them with the proper department I write about. Some examples though are Scientific and Engineering Award, National Blue Ribbon of Excellence from the United States Department of Education and many teacher of the year awards.

My son is currently in the middle school, and heading for Upper Darby High next year. He is in the choir, and today we went to the Upper Darby High's Art Exhibit as one of his paintings was being displayed in Exhibit. I'm glad he's following his artistic abilities and have faith that as long as he sticks with it he will be well rewarded in the high school.

To see my previous article, as notice didn't go out, I would really appreciate your visit .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Darby_High_School
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2807194/life_1950s_children_and_values.html?cat=25
http://www.udpac.org/
http://www.upperdarby.org/performing-arts.html
http://www.udsd.k12.pa.us/schools/highschool/udhs.php?school=ud