By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Feb. 26, 2026) Last week, Worcester County Public School leaders unveiled a new initiative aimed at shifting school culture to ensure students don’t feel pressured to choose between athletics or the arts.

Tamara Mills, the fine and performing arts coordinator for WCPS, gave a presentation on the campaign at a Worcester County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Mills said the project’s mission is simple: students can do both.

Mills said the idea grew out of observations she made during and after the COVID-19 crisis. She said that the arts are essential for mental health, expressing creativity, and expanding social skills. However, after the pandemic, when kids were returning to school, enrollment in these programs dropped.

The coordinator noted that, after discussions with kids and folks within the school system, a recurring theme emerged: students felt pressure to choose between a sport they loved and a performing art they also cared about.

“We don’t ever want as a school system to make students have to choose the sport they love to play and the art that gives them voice, creativity, and agency,” Mills said. “If you think about your own children, your nieces and nephews, the kids in your classroom, making them choose between two things they love isn’t something we want to do.”

Mills researched the benefits of both athletic and artistic outlets.

According to her, students who participate in the arts are five times more likely to graduate high school than those who do not. Additionally, they are often more engaged in school activities and develop stronger critical thinking and creative skills.

From the athletic perspective, Mills noted that student-athletes, on average, have higher GPAs than peers who do not participate in sports. They also demonstrate stronger leadership skills, higher attendance rates, and develop teamwork, discipline, time management, and perseverance.

“The commonalities kept running together,” she said.

Mills also addressed a recurring reason why some students choose sports. She said pursuing athletic scholarships tends to encourage kids to give up their performing arts. While scholarships are an important consideration, she shared statistics indicating that only about 7% of high school athletes go on to play college sports. In Maryland, that number drops to about 2%, and less than 2% of that group ultimately become professional athletes.

In contrast, Mills noted that many adults continue participating in the arts throughout their lives, whether through church choirs, community theater or local bands. She added that employers often value students who have participated in both athletics and the arts, describing them as well-rounded, resilient and strong leaders.

As a result, Mills has launched a “You Can Do Both” campaign within WCPS. She plans to meet with counselors, school administrators, athletic directors, coaches and music directors to identify and remove barriers that make dual participation difficult.

Part of the effort includes sharing arts performance dates with high schools in advance to help avoid scheduling conflicts with games or away athletic events.

“We want the culture to be that you can do both,” Mills said.

Through an arts grant, Mills hired a WCPS alum and local artist to create promotional materials for the campaign. Students representing a range of sports, grade levels and backgrounds were selected for a photoshoot. The resulting posters feature students in athletic uniforms holding instruments, sheet music, or other symbols highlighting their artistic calling.

The posters will be displayed throughout schools, including counseling offices, gyms, locker rooms, and at sporting events. The idea is that they will reinforce the message that students don’t have to sacrifice one passion for another.

“We are super proud of all of our students who are doing both,” Mills said.