There is a theme that runs through the lives of FAB’s featured artists, and that is caring and compassion.
KHS sophomore Danielle Fox, or Dani, is the first sophomore chosen by a teacher to be in FAB’s (Fine Arts Boosters of Kingston High School) Spotlight. Dani, 15, is a performance artist and a debater; she is upbeat, optimistic and engaging, yet she has chosen suicide as her National Debate Tournament subject.
After steadily winning local and regional competitions, Dani will be traveling to the Debate Nationals in Birmingham, Ala. — her first time visiting the South — to compete in “Dramatic Interpretation.” She will, from memory, do a 10-minute, four-character excerpt from the book “Glimpse” by Carol Lynch Williams, which features two sisters dealing with suicide. I was surprised at this choice of subject, but remembered this compassion for others in the young people I have met at KHS.
Dani will also be going to Philadelphia to a smaller competition with four other KHS debaters. Coach Lasica Crane will accompany them, and they are busy fundraising as they must pay their own way as they represent us, their Kingston community.
“It is a big deal to be going to Nationals,” Crane said. “I am so proud.”
Dani, a high-achieving young woman, loves her Kingston and Eglon community where she has lived all her life. Last fall, she played volleyball and is now on the golf team. She enjoys snow sports, but horseback riding “is my favorite thing to do. Since I was 4. It is a big part of my life. [I’m considering] study at WSU to become an equine vet.”
The arts provide a place outside of academics to foster creativity and connect with the community. Debate provides lessons for everyday life, public speaking skills and self-confidence.
“I have learned to be myself in front of people,” Dani said. “It makes me shine for others besides myself. Debate is a place to set personal goals. I work hard to be the best I can be. Competition drives me.”
There are five sophomores in Debate, and “we work extremely hard to do well in competition,” Dani said.
Just think: We have these students representing us for two more years!
KHS debaters picked the topic “Abolishing the Department of Education” for the Congress division of the tournaments. Although they argue both sides, they are “pro,” arguing to bring education home to the states from federal control. Even though education is a huge issue for North Kitsap School District, how many of us have really looked into this idea from all sides?
Debaters keep up with the news, and Dani keeps up with gay rights issues. “I do everything I can to support friends and I want to tell my kids someday I was alive and part of this big movement,” she said. “I think our community is not biased.”
She added, “Debate is my family and KHS debaters are my favorite people in this world and they back me 100 percent.”
So does FAB and your community, Dani. We cheer you on!
— Contact Marilyn Bode at Lidenbode@aol.com.
