Little Choir Girl

My karaoke song bird had her first choir performance at the high school Veteran's Day assembly today.  She was SO EXCITED.  She practiced her song to and from school every day for weeks. We talked about the difference between choir robes and bath robes (clothes stay ON). And her teacher helped her practice walking up and down the risers.  It was an event she worked hard for...and she was deservingly PROUD.   I was particularly proud too <3 

What makes this day extra special is the victory of Mila and her friend Trey being the first students with special needs included in her high school choir.  While I could pontificate on what an embarrassing fact that should be for her high school, it is indeed a battle won.  For two years I've been fighting behind the scenes, with as much grace as I could muster, the importance of inclusion at her high school.  There is no blasted reason why any student cannot participate in choir should they choose to.  As simple as that statement seems to be, it has been a ragingly difficult concept for many in our school district to grasp.  (I think my exact words were "I'm not asking for AP Calc, it's flipping choir people!")   That tiny little Albanian on the right lower side of the choir is passionate, engaged, participating and learning from her time in the choir room.  I'm frustrated that parents have to fight to have their children included, but I'm also thankful that we are in a country that allows parents like me to fight for kids like mine.  I am fully aware that right has not been available in the countries that my children came from.  So while we thank our honored Veterans for blessing us with that privilege, the battle continues.