More Than Just Art: The Impact of Young Audiences at Hedgepeth-Williams Intermediate School
By: Dr. Adrienne R. Hill
Principal, Hedgepeth-Williams Intermediate School, Trenton, NJ
Trustee, YA New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania
As both a Trustee and the principal of Hedgepeth-Williams Intermediate School (HWIS), I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of our partnership with Young Audiences. Their work with our school has been an integral part of our arts and social-emotional learning success.
Our collaboration with Young Audiences has been instrumental in our school’s turnaround efforts. HWIS has hosted numerous school assemblies, workshops, and artist residencies, each contributing significantly to our students’ engagement and the overall school climate. These programs have not only enriched our arts curriculum but have also played a critical role in decreasing disciplinary infractions and positively impacting our chronic absenteeism rates. Additionally, the partnership has renewed teachers’ willingness to enhance their instructional programs through the integration of the arts while reigniting their commitment to more joyful teaching and learning.
“The positive outcomes we have observed at HWIS, including increased student participation and a stronger sense of community, underscore the importance of sustaining and expanding these arts initiatives.”
One particularly memorable program was “From Africa to Brazil: The Afro-Brazilian Folkloric Show,” which captivated our culturally and linguistically diverse students and sparked a newfound enthusiasm not only for learning, but also for learning about themselves and others. The hands-on workshops allowed students to explore their culture, creativity, and communication strengths beyond what they had ever imagined. This experience, along with many others has fostered a supportive and inclusive environment where our students feel valued, emotionally safe, and continuously inspired to express themselves.
The ongoing partnership with Young Audiences has also been a cornerstone of our efforts to integrate the arts into our everyday teaching practices. This integration has proven to be a powerful tool for engaging students in all subject areas, promoting critical thinking, and enhancing their social-emotional development. The positive outcomes we have observed at HWIS, including increased student participation and a stronger sense of community, underscore the importance of sustaining and expanding these arts initiatives.
Additional artists who have been at HWIS form left: Molly Gaston Johnson, Hip Hop Fundamentals, Give & Take Jugglers, and Queen Nur.
