When actress, producer and director Elizabeth Banks entered the premises of Moton Elementary School on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, she never expected a grand welcome.
"I love Moten Elementary. It's my adoptive school as a Turnaround Artist," says Banks. When she stepped inside the Southeast Washington school, the students welcomed her with her name spelled out on the front steps.
And not only that, they performed a song from "The Lion King," cites WJLA. But this was not her first visit to the school. She is actually a familiar personality in the area. Elizabeth Banks works with The Turnaround Arts program.
The Turnaround Arts program brings arts education and supplies to low-performing schools. The aim is to improve attendance, promote parental involvement, and increase academic performance.
And Banks is supporting the integration of arts into the program. "An integration of arts into every single class. The biology song, the chemistry play, the paint by fractions," says Megan Beyer, the Executive Director of the President's Committee on Arts and the Humanities.
And since its inception, the kids at Moten school has definitely turned around. The program promotes singing, dancing and acting. Even Principal Mireille Lopex-Humes says it is a great environment.
And what does the kids have to say about it? Deanna Greene, a 9 year old student says it built up her self confidence. And she already knows what to do with her life! "When I grow up I want to be an actor because I want to be great on the stage," she stated. It looks like this girl needs a performing arts degree in her future. And her future seems like it looks good!
Elizabeth Banks' was so excited to be a part of the program that she announced to the entire school that they are going to perform in a musical called "The Little Mermaid."
"I think being a part of that chain that helps these kids have exciting, enriching lives that gets them excited about being in school, excited about education, there's nothing better I can be doing with my time," said Banks.
