Dear OPABC supporters,
The question has be brought up, by more than one individual, questioning who it is that the Orting Performing Arts Booster Club (OPABC) really exists to support. Is it the band? The choir? Perhaps the dance team or maybe even the cheer team?
To this question I want to state that the Orting Performing Arts Booster Club completely supports ALL student groups, performing arts related or otherwise, due to the fact that we completely support the STUDENTS of Orting. We believe that EVERY student in Orting has the potential to be amazing and deserve EVERY drop of support that they can get from us as their parents and as a community.
With that being said, does the OPABC support all of the many diverse groups in our District financially? Of course not.
When the OPABC first began as a group of about 7 parents, we had joined together hoping that there would be other groups, ie. choir, dance, that would want to join with us in support of the Youth in our District. Which was only part of the reason we chose to name our organization the ORTING PERFORMING ARTS BOOSTER CLUB and not just the "Band Boosters". Over time when our attempts to court the Choir Director failed and the practices of a previous dance coach were questionable it became obvious that we would be going it alone as a Club. Not to mention that the Dance team and Cheer groups have started their own booster clubs. (If you attended meetings this would mostly be old info. for you.)
A discussion was brought up a few years ago to change to only a "Band" Booster. This idea also fell by the wayside as there was a "Band Booster" many years ago that failed for some dishonest reason and we felt it was better to not be in any way considered a part of that organization.
We as a Booster Club are still small in size, averaging only about 15 individuals at our monthly meetings, despite sending reminders to over 70 people each month. Yet, while our numbers may be few our dreams for the children in our neighborhoods are not. We completely support, physically, mentally, emotionally and financially, the OHS and OMS band groups and their fabulous conductor Mr. Ruff.
It is the intend of the Orting Performing Arts Booster Club to continue to do all that we can to show our support for the great kids in our schools, irregardless of group affiliation, but most importantly to do what we can to financially aid the Bands in their pursuit of excellence.
If you are not all ready doing so we would encourage you to get involved, either with the OPABC or one of the other great parent groups in Orting. There is so much that we as parents can do to give not only our children but EVERY child in our schools the opportunity to be as amazing as they possibly can.
Andrea Melot
OPABC President
360-893-1418
