Post by Fort Hays State University

Heart of a Tiger By President Tisa Mason On a cold Saturday night in February, the lights dimmed at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. The crowd grew quiet. Three college students were prepared to take center stage as stars of the show. Every year, the Hays Symphony holds a major competition, the Young Artist Competition. Student musicians at FHSU compete for a chance to perform as soloists, standing in front of the orchestra and playing the lead part. In the spirit of hard work and a love for music and community, Samantha Zimmerman, Alison Walker, and Dawson McNeal turned their disciplined practice into a masterpiece. Music is a huge part of their lives. Samantha uses it to find balance with her science studies. Alison uses it to connect with her community. And Dawson uses it to express his feelings and prepare for his career as a teacher. These three young artists prove that if you work hard and follow your passion, you can achieve great things. Whether they are blazing new trails through the wilderness, teaching kids to sing, or serving in the Army, they will always have their music to guide them. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q04hyS-P0