Creative Connections

  • Published
  • By Elysia Garcia
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Being a high school student in Europe isn't always easy. Many of the normal high school experiences many teens experience in the states, like getting a driver's license and going to the mall with friends, is rather different when living overseas. However, the Department of Defense Dependants School system does provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience of which teens in the states could only dream. One such experience is Creative Connections.

Creative Connections is a program unique to DoDDS Europe. Between Feb. 11 and 16, selected DoDDS students from across Europe gathered in Oberwesel, Germany, to experience a week-long workshop filled with training, fun and creativity. Students could apply to one of several classes focusing on art, music and performing arts. In these classes, students developed their skills under the guidance of highly trained DoDDS teachers.

As a long-time solo pianist, I wanted to take part in a class that would develop my skills. Though there were no classes specifically for pianists, I had the opportunity to use my talent in the Strings class, as one of two pianists accompanying a 13-member string orchestra.

Like all other students wishing to take part in the program, I had to submit an application explaining why I wanted to be to part of Creative Connections. Finally, after a few weeks of waiting, 17 students from my high school, myself included, found out we were accepted into the program. Overall, about 150 students from around Europe were selected to take part in this year's Creative Connections.

Though the classes last only a week, lots of preparations takes place prior to the beginning of the workshop. Students have to memorize scripts for plays, practice musical pieces and songs as well as getting prepared for the trip. Our group left the high school before dawn Nov. 15, taking a 10-hour bus ride to the small town, overlooking the Rhine.
Within a few hours of arriving at the youth hostel, students got together in their classes and went straight to work. Every day we worked from 8:50 a.m. until 5 p.m. on various projects and prepared for the showcase performance at the end of the week.

Musical pieces were perfected, art work was finished, videos were produced, and routines were completed. Everyone worked hard, but despite all this effort and work, everyone was happy, and everyone was excited for the end performance and display.

Along with having fun in classes, students were also entertained in the evening. With a visit and performance from Check Six, the U.S. Air Force in Europe jazz band, a student talent show and end-of-the-day dances, there was always something for the students to enjoy.

Finally, on Thursday, students put on their costumes and their best clothes. Art students displayed their work at a grand art show and the performing arts students had their performance. But along with the excitement, there was sadness that the next day it would be over. Though everyone would be going back to their schools, we'll always carry the fun memories of Creative Connections.

When asked what she thinks of the experience, Rachel Cranney, a Strings student from Lakenheath High School, said, "It's fun! You learn a lot, and you meet new people."
Everyone else who attended this year's session of Creative Connections seemed to agree with this.

"It wasn't what I expected, but it's also better than what I expected," said Hannah Armstrong, a LHS mixed media student. "You have so much fun in the classes. You make new friends from all over; from Ramstein to Bahrain. It is definitely something I will never forget."