Friends of the Arts

INTERVIEW WITH

Paul Henry and Emily Kahn

The Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township school districts can boast a thriving arts program with musical education, a strong theater program, and visual arts classes. For 25 years, Friends of the Arts, FOTA, has been cheering on this creativity.

Laura and Raymond Menards established FOTA, believing the arts deserved as much attention as sports programs. Laura recalls, “The sports programs get enormous support, and our efforts to have something for the arts kids. We simply wanted to raise awareness and help these kids feel equally supported. I don’t have to tell you it’s been an uphill battle all the way!”

In Mountain Lakes, all students from kindergarten to eighth grade enjoy weekly music classes and study a curriculum that meets New Jersey state standards for visual and performing arts. Starting in fourth grade, students may choose to learn an instrument and can join the school band, as well as join chorus. As students move up in grade, more musical doors open, including jazz band, chamber choir, bell choir, and Pop to name a few. Theater is also recognized with fifth grade, middle school, and high school productions. Visual arts are well represented with classes in 2-D Drawing and Painting, 3-D Design and Ceramics, Contemporary Crafts, Digital Media and Design.

Paul Henry, FOTA Administrative Liaison and Supervisor of English Language Arts and Fine and Performing Arts for the Mountain Lakes School District, and Emily Kahn, FOTA President, offered insights into the nonprofit organization comprised of teachers, parents, and administrators.

What is FOTA’s mission, and how has it achieved this?

FOTA strives to create awareness of the benefits derived from student participation in arts programs and recognizes the achievements of individual and group efforts. Over the years, FOTA has raised money through membership, sponsorship, and community member donations. They award multiple $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors and provide thousands of dollars a year in the form of grants to teachers in Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township to support arts programming. They sponsor coffee houses, provide meals for student performers on concert and performance nights, and award the FOTA Robe, a unique and much-coveted honor, to the unsung hero of the MLHS Spring Musical.

What is the value of participating in the arts as a student?

Participating in the arts in school helps students grow in ways that go far beyond creativity. It strengthens communication skills, builds confidence, and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Students learn to collaborate effectively, develop discipline through practice and performance, and express emotions in healthy ways. These experiences often lead to improved academic performance and make students more well-rounded and competitive for college. Perhaps most importantly, the arts create a sense of belonging and community, giving students a place to connect and feel valued. As we increasingly realize that all people, particularly young people, need to pursue social and emotional well-being, the arts provide tremendous personal benefit.

How does participation in the arts carry over to other subjects?

Arts participation is associated with higher engagement, motivation, and enhanced cognitive skills. There is even evidence that there is a positive relationship between music training and math, and drama participation has been proven to increase reading comprehension. Participating in the visual arts is known to improve observation and interpretation skills.

Have students pursued post-high school life in the arts?

We have quite a few students who pursue post-high school study in the visual and performing arts. In addition, many of our students continue to be involved in co-curricular activities in college, including clubs, bands, and ensembles. There have been a few actresses on Broadway. These are lifelong activities that continue to provide joy, health, and well-being far beyond high school.

Photographs courtesy of FOTA