The COMPAS community of donors, partners, and educators is creating positive change in the lives of students across Minnesota. This positive impact becomes even more evident when we hear stories about the response of students to the creative experiences so compassionately and skillfully offered by our Teaching Artists. This is one of those stories.

After more than two years of the COVID pandemic, mental health emergencies among children are on the rise. Health experts have actually called it a national emergency. Fortunately, research shows that taking part in creative experiences fosters positive mental health for children. It helps them channel the big emotions that come up during turbulent times. It also helps kids form meaningful bonds with others.

This has been very challenging during the pandemic. So when a COMPAS creative program came to 5th graders at Highland Elementary in Columbia Heights recently, the teachers had high hopes. Highland serves a diverse student body. And because almost 75% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, most don’t have access to quality programs other than through school. During a fun-filled dance residency, COMPAS Teaching Artist, Alanna Morris, got the kids moving and grooving with Social Dance. Alanna has many dance forms in her impressive repertoire, but she and the school chose this type of dance because, as she explains, “It arises from the street instead of an institution.” Plus, it got the kids talking to each other, laughing, and getting creative as they learned dance and vocal patterns, then made up new steps.

Classroom teacher, Regina Skoy, shared a story about one of her students, Akira*, who had only been at Highland for three weeks when the program began. “Akira was a very quiet girl who had struggled to succeed at her last school and had not yet found a new friend group. But dancing was something she was really good at, and having that creative outlet enabled her to make friends and become a leader in the classroom. During Miss Alanna’s residency, Akira began opening up and sharing more about her life outside of school. It was wonderful to see her blossom!”

Akira wasn’t the only student who blossomed during this experience.

Alanna shared, “It was very special. I can say that I’ve never received as many hugs as I did at this school. I think the content of the residency helped. We did a lot together, not just movement. There was a fair amount of singing and rhythm-making and music-making with our bodies. It’s hard not to feel good when you’re singing at the top of your lungs and stomping, clapping, and moving.”

Fifth graders might not always find the right words to express themselves, but their actions let us know when a difference has been made in their lives. Reginia Skoy said, “The students were so sad when Miss Alanna left. On the last day (after requesting permission), one of them ran to the front of the room and gave her a hug. Other students joined in until there was a ‘hug pile’ around Miss Alanna.”

Yes, creative experiences produce beautiful art, and so much more.

To learn how to bring a COMPAS artist into your school, get in touch with us here.