‘‘Fame ” Can Be Found In Charlotte School System, Too
By Terri Byrum
Special To The Post
When the movie “Fame”
came out in 1980, I saw it
four or five times. With my
theatrical background, I
identified with the talented
students, all the while won
dering how it was that
some people go to to the
High School for the Per
forming Arts, and I only
got to go to Myers Park
High School.
I struggled for months
with that sense of injustice
and eventually got over it.
Then in spring of 1982,
‘-‘Fame” was brought to TV
as a weekly series. I have
become glued to the TV set
on Thursday evenings with
“Fame” is on. I stay home
from any clubs or business
meetings which might
meet on Thursday night
and 1 take my phone off the
hook so that those who
didn’t know better than to
call between eight and nine
won’t disturb me.
The TV show features
some of the same charar
ters as the film. I miss the
girl who played Doris Fin
sucker in the film, but the
new character of Doris
Schwartz is pretty close.
It’s too bad Irene Cara
chose not to follow the role
to the series, but her re
placement, Erica Gimpel
almost matches her
quality.
As for the teachers, I’m
glad they kept Mr. She
rovsky. He’s a good father
figure for the kids. I like
the added English teacher
Miss Sherwood. But Debbie
Allen, who plays Miss
Lydia Grant, carries the
show, without a doubt.
All this wishful thinking
on my part about the
School of the Performing
Arts led me to investigate
what the public schools in
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
County have to offer stu
dents who show creative
talent. I was hoDinc to find
“Read Your Holy Bible and ■
Pray to God Everyday”
%_
COUPON MUST
ACCOMPANY ORDER
EXPERT ALTERATIONS ••••••••••
••••••••We Work Saturday Too!
-Offer Expires November It. 1982_
AMERICAN
DRY CLEANERS
A LAUNDRY
1806 N. GRAHAM ST.
Next to Hutchinson Shopping Center)
LIGHT MOMENTS are shared between
serious Harding High School music stu
dents and band Director Joseph P.
Chambers (right) during a pause in
practice last Monday. Assistant Harding
High School Principal Marshal Smith,
(left) enjoys the levity of the moment
with students, left to right, front row:
\ KlilBrcmm1 ■
Samantha Thome, flutest; Michele Bow
ling flutist; Debbie Smith, flutest; Russ
Link, alto sax. Second row seated, left to
right: Renee Griffith, clarinet; Darryl
White, clarinet; Annette Alvey, Clarinet;
Gary, McIntyre, trumpet; and Mark S
Horton, trumpet. (Photo: Peeler’s Por
trait Studio)
uwi mings naa improved
significantly since I was a
student in the 60s and early
70s.
It seems that there are
<and always have been)
opportunities for creatively
talented students, but one
must use a little creativity
in seeking them.
When I was in elemen
tary school, the highlights
of the week were those
days when we had or
chestra. All of the budding
musicians carried their
rented instruments (some
larger than they were) into
the lobby of Lansdowne
Elementary School and the
teacher with much pa
tience “conducted” as
though it were the New
York Philharmonic.
Even more exciting than
orchestra were those oc
casions, about three or four
times per year, when the
roving art teacher came to
our class.
Art was everybody’s
favorite, and sometimes
our regular teacher would
circle the “art” date on our
class calendar weeks in ad
vance. Notes were sent
home to our mothers ask
ing for a smock or old shirt
to protect our clothing to be
sent to school. The art
teacher was with us for a
half day and we converted
our classroom into a studio
with the desks pushed back
against the walls and the
floor was used as an easel.
Although as a child I
always enjoyed music, the
“chorus” segment of ele
mentary school was not
particularly anticipated.
The roving choral teacher
always seemed to be an
older lady who was con
stantly out of breath from
pushing her piano-on
wheels from class to class.
I remember the “lessons”
as being very hurried and
lackluster - just as the
teacher was. We would
have gladly traded chorus
for art any day.
I don’t remember any
drama in the classroom •
except for the ‘who put
gum on the teacher’s seat?’
variety.
Today, elementary
school students are given
opportunities to play an
instrument from the fourth
grade. Those whose fami
lies cannot afford rental
fees for an instrument are
not left out - the admin
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEBC
SERVING
HOME COOKED MEALS
• Breakfast e Lundi
A Dinner
Fresh Vegetables, USDA No. 1
Choice Meats, Hot Biscuits
Variety of Sandwiches
Conveniently Located
In The Uptown Area.
-ABC Permits
640 N. Graham St. (Corner of
10th & Graham) • 374«9|S9
istration of each school will
accommodate any student
in such a situation.
Art teachers and music
teachers visit all class
rooms at least once a week
and regular teachers try to
supplement the art and
music lessons throughout
the week.
When asked if particular
ly talented children are
encouraged by the special
teachers, Mr. Eugene Todd
I—
principal for Marie G.
Davis Elementary School.
Says with tongue-in-cheek,
“Yes. The teacher may be
able to spend about 30 extra
seconds with the talented
student.” The art and
music teachers are itiner
ant and often see more than
700 students per week.
Read The Charlotte Post
Each Week
NOBODY
GIVES
YOU
AS MUCH
FOR LESS.
Nobody gives you more for
your travel dollar these days than
Greyhound.
Greyhound has more than 4,000
buses going to over 14,000 des
tinations across the country - so.
no matter where you want to go.
chances are Greyhound can take
you there with everyday low fares
And we have 10% discount fares
for Senior Citizens and a
special one-way fare that lets you
go anywhere Greyhound goes for
only $99.
No matter how you look at it.
Greyhound is America’s travel
value — with more service, more
convenience, more departures and
everyday low fares.
Next trip, go with the leader.
Go Greyhound. And leave the driv
ing to us.
go greyhound
And leave the driving to us.