Matzia Zou, Jeremiah Hernandez and Melissa Wardrip waiting for their scores at Vinton-Shellsburg. -Photos provided

Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theatre in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the International Thespian Society (ITS).

STC High School Speech & Theatre is decorating the school, offering fun facts daily on the announcements, and dressing up in speech and theatre attire for TIOS.

South Tama County High School is the home of ITS Troupe 1038, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning TIOS activities. TIOS is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theatre participation, which include development of the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

In fact, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of arts classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one half year or less. But, according to the U. S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.

And according to a 2016 poll:

Morgan Haughey points to her division 1 rating

9 in 10 American adults agree that the arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education.

90 percent believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school, middle school, and high school.

The poll, “Americans Speak Out about the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes about the Arts in America,” was conducted by Americans for the Arts.

To see ITS Troupe 1038, and the STC High School theatre and speech program in action, come to the next performance, New Beat on an Old Drum on April 2, 3, and 4. Tickets go on sale soon in the High School Office, and are $8 for adults, $5 for students.

For more information about TIOS visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow hashtag #TIOS20 and #TheatreinOurSchools on social media.

Sophomore Luis Avalos proudly presents one of his two I ratings for the day

Senior Julie Matta with the trophy