A renaissance – a rebirth – of interest and talent in the arts has been occurring at Loyalton High School this year with the addition of many new arts-related electives for students. A recent article in The Washington Post said that students benefit from at least 10 skills and personal characteristics from arts instruction: creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, focus, nonverbal communication, the process of receiving constructive criticism, collaboration, dedication and accountability. LHS principal Marla Stock said that she is really excited about the new arts classes “because it makes students excited about their education.” Students are benefiting from new courses in Choir, Ceramics, Film Making, Graphic Arts/Photography and Floriculture, as well as the other visual and per- forming arts courses previously offered—Film Appre-ciation; Art 1, 2, 3, 4; Studio Art, Advanced Placement Studio Art, Yearbook Production, Arts and Crafts and Theater Arts. See the complete story with photos of various projects in the March 26th issue of the Sierra Booster!