To the editor:

I recently received word through the social networking Web site, Facebook, that Kennebunk High School is planning to cut drama from its curriculum.

I understand that since this information has come to light, the school board and local newspapers have received letters of protest from current students and faculty, as well as from Kennebunk High School alumni.

I beg you to listen to our pleas. Courses in play reading, playwriting and performance greatly contribute to a well-rounded education. Drama opens doors to opportunities the student may not have known existed, and helps him build confidence. Skills in vocal projection and awareness of body language are key to success in his future career, for example business leadership, politics, or education.

On a personal note, I was praised throughout my four years of undergraduate education at The American University of Rome for my presentation skills. When going into the job market, I interviewed with ease. When I unexpectedly found myself faced with a opportunity in radio journalism, I was ready for the challenge.

For all this, I credit my background in drama, which helped me build the confidence and skills I needed to be successful.

In this period of financial difficulty, I understand the decision on where to make cuts is not easy – but I urge the school and taxpayers to consider other options. Please do not deprive our students of the full education they deserve.

Kelsea Brennan-Wessels

Rome, Italy

Kennebunk High School class of 2003

To the editor:

Theater programs in RSU 21 are at risk of being cut. Under a proposal, set to be unveiled Monday, Feb. 22, theater will no longer be offered at either Middle School of the Kennebunks or Kennebunk High School. As a student at Kennebunk High School currently enrolled in theater, I’m outraged.

I understand the state has cut more than $2 million from our district budget, but cutting theater shouldn’t be an option. If the theater department is cut, a program that has been part of the curriculum for nearly 20 years will cease to exist. This will leave many students without a place where they can explore interests and earn a credit for it at the same time.

There is a lot of support from the town for athletics, so where is the support for the performing arts? I have lived in Kennebunk all my life, and grew up attending musicals at the high school. I was so excited this year when I could finally be a part of it all. Over the year, this course has been my favorite by far.

There is no other program that allows students of every grade level and academic ability to come together and express themselves, while learning so much at the same time. Just a few of the skills learned through theater are self-confidence, public speaking, reading and comprehension, team building, communication, creativity, and movement and spatial awareness. If you have children in the program, children who plan on being in the program, or if you simply enjoy coming to high school plays, please help by going to the March 1 public hearing at the town hall. Please go and make your voice heard.

Cassie Moreno

Kennebunk

Kennebunk High School class of 2013

To the editor:

The part I play in the Kennebunk High School drama program is the role of audience member. I enjoyed watching “The Pirate Musical,” a production written entirely by a student.

I would hate to see such talent go to waste. Even if it’s just the drama teacher position being cut, without some kind of direction, the plays and musicals could just die out. I think it’d be a tragedy to have that happen. I don’t have anything against my principal, Mr. Dawson, but I think removing drama is a bad decision.

The board hasn’t had the chance to vote on it and the public hasn’t had the opportunity to have their opinion heard. Drama gives students more than just the opportunity to get up on stage and say a few lines – it teaches them things they will use for the rest of their lives. Things such as team building, communication, reading comprehension, public speaking, creativity, improvisation and problem solving.

There are better solutions to this problem than cutting things out of the budget. There are things that can be done to save money without taking opportunities away from students.

We have three elementary schools. Kennebunk Elementary School, the largest of them all, only educates kids from kindergarten through third grade, while the other two (Mildred L. Day and Consolidated) teach kindergarten through fifth grade.

Close Sea Road School (grades four and five), and move those students to Kennebunk Elementary School. Use the second floor of Sea Road as offices, and then rent out the first floor to the parks and recreation department.

This would also make space for classrooms at KHS so we can move kids out of the dangerous and expensive portables. We pay rent on those and they are constantly unlocked. I don’t think anyone feels safe in a portable.

Barry Nolette

Kennebunk

Kennebunk High School class of 2012

To the editor:

After nearly 20 years, Kennebunk High School may be eliminating its theater program due to budget cuts. This is a huge mistake.

The lessons you learn, skills you acquire and the confidence you gain in acting classes are the same benefits leaders of Fortune 500 companies seek out when they hire improvisation coaches to work with their employees.

The ability to express yourself positively, communicate effectively, work coherently as a team and the lost art of listening are priceless qualities that come from this sort of training. It is crucial for high school students to have access to this life-changing form of education during a most pivotal time in their lives.

While at Kennebunk High School I noticed remarkable changes in people that came as a direct result of the theater program. I saw shy and lonely students break out of their shells and make friends.

I saw sheltered kids open up and begin learning about other cultures. I saw apathetic teens start to take initiative and proudly accomplish goals. I saw lost adolescents discover a passion and become driven and optimistic young men and women. All this was entirely because of their involvement in the program.

Nowhere else did I see or even hear of these kinds of results – not in history class, not in algebra class, not even on the basketball team.

The theater program is precious to students at Kennebunk High School. Go see one of their plays. Speak to the cast and crew. Watch their eyes light up as they talk about the process and how they’re actually applying what they learned in class. Notice the joy in each of their faces because together they created something incredibly special that will last forever.

Luke Sholl

New York City

Kennebunk High School class of 2002

To the editor:

I was recently informed the drama department in the Kennbunk school system is in danger of being cut. This is an extremely horrible idea.

The arts in general are always the first to go in any school. I personally cannot see why this is. I believe, as do many others,  the arts department is just as important as others. In drama class I learned so many more lessons that I actually use today, then most of my other classes.

I can tell you how many times someone has come up to me and asked me to find the square root of a number or conjugate a verb in Spanish or name the first 10 presidents. On the other hand, on a daily basis I am confident, respectful and accepting and I encourage. I motivated. I listen. These and many more are all lessons I learned in drama class.

Under the wonderful teachings of Mrs. Reed, drama and chorus were my life in high school. I became who I am, in part because of those classes and those teachers. They work just as hard to give us just as much as any other teacher in the school and they do it with less of a budget.

I am not saying that other departments aren’t important, they are. I am simply saying that cutting out drama is a mistake. It hurts the community, the current children attending and the poor children who will never know what they could have had.

I implore the school to please find any way to keep the drama department open and available.

Melinda Malloch Tison

Southampton, N.Y.

Kennebunk High School class of 1999