In this year’s Arts issue of My School Rocks!, we take a look at
the transcendent power of various art forms and activities here
in the Queen City.
Courtney McLaughlin takes us on a tour of the familyfriendly and curriculum-applicable offerings at a handful of
arts organizations in Uptown Charlotte (pages 10-12). Holly
Raychelle Hughes gives us a behind-the-scenes look at
location scouting for film and TV shows that are shot here in
Charlotte (page 14-15). Tricia Drevets teaches us how the art
of improv can help families bond as children improve their
communications skills (pages 16-18).
Editor’s’Note
Additionally, we are excited to showcase a new student art
gallery in our pages. Please see pages 20-23 to view the
colorful pieces and to obtain submission guidelines.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
– Pablo Picasso
I am indebted to the MSR staff for their assistance and support
this past month while I was concerned with family matters; and,
I dedicate this issue to my mother, Lynn, whose beautiful soul
and memory I will cherish always.
While we were working on this issue, my mother was moved
into hospice care. She had fought breast cancer, valiantly, for
more than five years, and her body was shutting down.
During those difficult final weeks, art and things of beauty
helped sustain my family. There were the flowers and plants
in my mother’s room, the TV shows and movies we watched,
the pink polish we painted on my mom’s fingernails, the smell
of her favorite perfume and the escape of the fresh air in the
courtyard at the hospice facility. Each of these things comfort
ed us and helped us transcend our painful reality.
Jodi
DECEMBER CORRECTIONS:
In the Highland Renaissance Academy profile, the photo of Nicole Barrow
was actually first grade teacher Lou Sarkis.
We apologize for the error.
Editorial Staff:
Editor-in-Chief:
Jodi Werner Greenwald
Illustrator:
Zoe Ranucci
Design Director:
Reema Patel
Staff Photographer:
LunahZon Photography
lunahzon.com
Design Assistant/Editor:
Alexis Brethauer
On The Cover:
A Miracle on 34th Street
Cover Photo By:
Donna Bise/Children’s
Theatre of Charlotte
8 – My School Rocks! | January 2014
Contributing Writers:
Courtney McLaughlin
Holly Raychelle Hughes
Tricia Drevets
Bea Quirk
Melanie Baron
Alexis Brethauer
Kimberly E. Johnson
Jill Blades
Sandie lee Muncaster
Rockin’ Reporters:
Garrett - Carmel Middle School
Jacob - St. Matthew Catholic School
Martin - St. Matthew Catholic School
One morning, Jackson woke up with his eyes crossed slightly. They got progressively worse throughout the day.
“It took every bit of my strength not to fall down when I saw how bad it was,” recalled his mother, Jennifer. She met with
Dr. Erin Schotthoefer at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A., who asked Jackson to wear eye patches and later glasses.
Neither remedied the crossing. Dr. Schotthoefer performed surgery, and soon Jackson’s vision and depth
perception were restored. “He’s no longer in glasses, he’s no longer having to patch -- he’s just back to the normal little boy
we had before all of this started,” Jennifer said.
To read more about Jackson’s story, visit www.goodsenses.com/jackson
WE JUST MAKE SENSE.
GOODSENSES.COM
704.295.3000 800.654.3368