A little over 10 years ago now, there was a young girl. 11 years old. She had a great home life, was an overall happy kid, great family, great friends. But at school, something was missing. She did well, got straight A's, that wasn't the issue. But this girl struggled a bit with finding her sense of belonging. She had some friends that she never seemed to have much in common with. She was bullied on the bus and sometimes in class. It seemed that everyone had something, a sport, a hobby, a big group of friends. But this girl wasn't quite sure where she fit in.

Middle school is a rough time for most kids. The struggles of this one girl were, I'm sure, similar to the struggles of many, many other young kids just like her. But at 11 years old, everything seems like the biggest thing in the world, and no matter what, you always feel alone.

It will come at no surprise to you that this girl was me. And I finally found myself through choir and drama club.

I was always an artsy kid, always loved to sing and perform for my family. It was in my blood from the moment I was born, I'm sure of it. Around the age of 11, this really solidifed for me. I auditioned for my first middle school show, and got one of the smallest possible parts, but that didn't matter. I made the best group of friends that year, people in all grades and all personalities. People I would meet again while doing high school drama four years later. I knew from the moment I stepped on stage in front of an audience, either with a choir around me or with my castmates beside me, that I found the thing that I was meant to do forever.

Not only that, but I found myself. I unlocked a part of myself that I never knew was in there but once it was found, it took me over. The best part of my day became going to rehearsal, spending time with these people who I formed such an intense and intimate bond with. I was truly happy being on stage. Nothing else mattered. The negativity, the stress, the drama (pun intended) of being a middle- and high school kid was all still there, but knowing I had that safe haven made all the difference.

I can't say the same thing about my math or science classes.

The STEM classes are important, don't get me wrong. I believe that all people should have a basis of knowledge on all subjects. But why are these things being prioritized over the arts? Why are schools getting their arts programs cut but not these "core" classes or even sports teams? Why are the arts seen as being the least important part of schooling?

It is unfair that a kid who isn't good at playing an instrument, singing, or drawing is told that it's just "not their thing," but a kid who isn't good at math or science is considered unintelligent.

Creative activities help children with motor skills, language development, decision making, social skills, and many other core traits that you can't find in a typical classroom. Studies even have shown that engaging in the arts have helped children improve their academic abilities.

Every single school should have an arts program. Every single school should allot the same budget for the arts as they do for "academic" classes, or sports. Because there are countless kids out there who I'm sure are just like that little girl I talked about, and who may not be lucky enough to have the same opportunities as she did.

When I think back to my middle and high school days, I remember choir trips and late night rehearsals. I remember my directors and my choreographers. I even still remember harmonies and lyrics, lines I spent months memorizing and pronunciations that my directors and teachers drilled into my mind. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without the arts, and I can't imagine ever robbing children of their ability to explore their passions in this field.

So, I'm begging you, please do not let your school fall into one of the ever-growing statistics of places that have de-funded their arts programs. Think of me, that little 11 year old girl, now 21 and still performing. And please remember that some of the kids in your school need this just like I did.