Arts college shows potential Warhawks what they have to offer

The School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) organized the VAPA Day to take place Wednesday to introduce high school juniors, seniors and transfer students to the different programs this school offers.

“We have students interested in some of the program degrees of art and music but also in minor programs in theatre and dance,” said Matthew James, VAPA director.

James also said they hope to get students interested enough in their programs and facilities so they decide to come to ULM for a college degree. Each year they have a selection of high school students from Ouachita and a few other parishes. Several decide to come to ULM after attending the VAPA day, which Dr. James said he sees as a great accomplishment.

“Some of them maybe don’t choose art as their major, but they participate in the marching band or orchestra where they play instruments and get scholarships for that,” James said.

Deborah Chandler, director of choral activities, said students are very cooperative and always ask questions because they are interested in coming to ULM.

Chandler said, “They see our program and share their talents with us.”

High school students seemed excited while watching the different activities performed by ULM students. They also had the opportunity to try different performance categories for themselves. For example, Karlie Stuckey, a senior at Ouachita Parish High School, tried singing in a choir, and she said she learned different choir styles through the experience. Stuckey also said she chose the music group because she plans to make it her major.

“ULM was my first choice, and after attending the VAPA day, I am definitely sure I’ll come here for my college degree,” Stuckey said.

DeQuincey Jones, also a senior from Ouachita, chose the dance group. He said VAPA day helped him to understand art, technique and passion of dance. Jones also said VAPA day helped him find out that ULM is a much better place than he thought it was.

“This is really a great place, but I still want to see some other schools, so I am still not sure whether I’ll enroll here or not,” Jones said.