Buccaneers Got Talent

I don't normally watch America's Got Talent, but I did happen to tune in Wednesday night as TEN YEAR OLD Jackie Evancho sang my favorite opera piece, Nessun dorma from the final act of  Puccini's opera Turandot.  That's right...she is ten years old!  At ten I was reading Nancy Drew books and riding my bike every afternoon.  This girl has performed before millions of people.  Her talent is obviously awesome and the fact that she sang that piece quadrupled my chill bumps while I watched her sing (I think I have four versions of Nessun dorma on my iPod). 

I have always been a little envious of supremely talented people, especially the artistically talented.  I have not one shred of artistic talent.  I can't draw, sculpt, paint, sing...well, I can carry a tune, but you know what I mean.

What must it feel like to sing like this girl?  Her voice moves people to tears.  I will never know a Jackie Evancho type of talent.

What must it feel like to paint and draw like Victoria Witt, a BBS senior?  She's amazingly talented, as you can see.  I will never know a Victoria Witt kind of talent. 

What must it feel like to write a novel that moves people, makes them think, makes them laugh, and makes them cry, like Kathryn Stockett did with The Help?   I doubt I will ever know a Kathryn Stockett kind of talent.

It's easy to be envious of people with incredible talent.  But, it's also easy to forget how much time, energy, thought, and hard work people like Jackie Evancho, Victoria Witt, and Kathryn Stockett put into their talents.  I'm sure Stockett wrote a lot of rough drafts before publishing The Help.  I'm sure Jackie Evancho has missed a lot of notes in her hours and hours of practicing.  I've never seen anything that Victoria created that wasn't incredible, but I bet she's started over on a piece a few times before.  The talent doesn't replace the hard work.  It is enhanced and perfected through the hard work.

When I walk the halls and classrooms of Boyd-Buchanan School, I see so many talented kids and teachers.  Some kids don't think they have any talent, but they just haven't figured it out yet.  They all have God-given talent.
Most of the talents I see at school aren't the artistic talents highlighted above, although we've got some amazing artists, singers, and writers.

Some are gifted with humor and wit.  They make the routine of a school day much more fun.
Some are gifted with athletic skill.  They make us proud to be Buccaneers as we cheer them on.
Some are gifted with leadership skills.  They bring out the best in those around them.
Some are gifted with the art of friendship.  They are supremely loyal and dependable, and people just like being with them.

I see gifted musicians...poets...speakers...storytellers...photographers...builders...decorators...actors...

You name the talent, I can probably find you a BBS kid who has it. 
Those who couple their talents with hard work and passion are unstoppable.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a high school teacher is seeing how students move past high school with the skills and talents they've developed during high school.  We're blessed at a Boyd-Buchanan School to be able to say to these kids, "Look what God has given you!  Now, go use it to the best of your ability."

Erma Bombeck said it best in regard to talent:  “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything You gave me.”

--Renee Hood--