During a quarterly parent dialogue session with NOCCA’s President | CEO Kyle Wedberg, NOCCA families were asked to share a few words about their experience at the arts high school.

Here is a parent spotlight:

Sunny Shannon | Parent of Chris Campbell, 12^th Grade Academic Studio | Musical Theatre from New Orleans.

Now, it’s hard to even think back four years ago, when we got that letter from NOCCA.

Our options were: NOCCA; homeschool or move out of state: simply not possible. My daughter faced loneliness and bullying in elementary and middle school. Wow, the joy in my daughter’s face as she read her acceptance letter. I can’t explain the importance of her acceptance to NOCCA. We were just speechless.

I am not sure what they do at NOCCA, I believe they feed the kids ‘Miracle Grow’ or something. But NOCCA is a real place of love and acceptance. She has grown so much as an artist. As a musical theatre student, she loves to sing of course, but has learned more about producing and directing. It is just wonderful to see, this special gift that has come into our lives.

People sometimes ask me, ‘What is it like over there, over by NOCCA?’ I am honest: it is a place of hard work, it is a real place that manages real issues, full of artists, just like my daughter.

My daughter shared with me a note about NOCCA, that I feel can help others understand the power of NOCCA:

‘As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was an incredible place. I know I have an amazing support system. If I ever have any questions or concerns on campus, I know I can ask anyone and they will help me. NOCCA has allowed me to explore my craft and myself, to grow as a person without fearing judgement.’