At West Haven High School, Melissa Moreno and Lia Powers have each found their own ways to make the arts part of their daily lives. Moreno has grown with the band program from Bailey Middle School to WHHS, while Powers has spent all four years of high school in Theater Workshop and continued her passion for dance beyond the classroom.
Melissa began playing French horn in seventh grade at Bailey Middle School and continues to play the instrument during concert season. During marching season, she switches to mellophone, an instrument she picked up as a freshman. Lia has spent her four years in Theater Workshop participating in productions and performing as a featured dancer in two WHHS musicals.
Some of Melissa’s favorite band memories come from football game nights, where she enjoys being in the stands with her friends, playing stand tunes, supporting the football, cheer and dance teams, and performing during halftime. “Sitting in the stands with my friends, playing stand tunes, shouting chants, supporting our football, cheer, and dance teams, and performing during halftime are all things I love about game nights,” Melissa said.
Lia said her favorite moments have come from the time spent with her classmates during rehearsals and the experience of seeing their work come together on stage. “My favorite memory in Theater Workshop would be being with all of my fellow classmates rehearsing for our shows and hanging out in the blackbox together and then finally watching the magic on stage when it all comes together,” Lia said.
Their accomplishments outside their primary arts programs have also been important to both students. Melissa takes honors and AP classes and works hard to maintain A’s. Recently, she earned a perfect score on an AP Pre-Calculus quiz, one of only a few students in her class to do so. Lia has maintained high honors during every marking period throughout her first three years of high school. She is also the varsity senior captain of the school’s Dance Team after serving as varsity junior captain last year, and she continues to dance at a studio outside of school.
Looking ahead, Melissa is still considering what she wants her college experience to look like. “I do plan on going to college, though I'm not too sure what I plan to study. I'm interested in attending UCONN or UNH, as I've seen what programs they have to offer. I'm sure I'll find what's right for me,” Melissa said. Lia is also looking forward to continuing her interests after high school. “I plan on going to college, hopefully dancing in college, majoring in early elementary special education and minoring in dance,” Lia said.
When asked about someone who has helped shape who they are today, the students pointed to very different sources of support. Melissa said she has learned to motivate herself and remain focused on becoming better each day. “I believe I am a hard worker, and while I might have flaws, I always try to motivate myself to go to infinity and beyond. I am my own biggest supporter, and every day I strive to be better than I was before,” Melissa said.
For Lia, that support has come from her mom, who has supported her dancing in countless ways throughout the years. “She works really hard to pay for all my dance lessons, she always makes sure I am ready for rehearsals,” Lia said. “She even made me a dance studio in my house to be able to practice. She just always makes sure I am on track of all my things and always shows me so much unconditional love.”
Melissa and Lia are bringing different experiences from their time in the arts with them as they prepare for what comes after high school. Melissa is still exploring what she wants to study, while Lia plans to combine early elementary special education with dance. Both will carry the experiences they have gained through their programs at WHHS into the next stage of their lives.