Recently I’ve had the opportunity to see some pretty talented kids.

Between the latest play, “Annie,” at the Whidbey Playhouse in Oak Harbor and the performance I saw at the NAS Whidbey Island Youth Center last weekend, I was impressed with the talent and the nerve of the youth in our community.

As I mention to my children every now and then, I was once young — but I don’t recall having enough gumption in elementary school to get on stage and act.

Shyness was a huge factor in my early years, but I began to get over it, despite receiving the “Biggest Blusher” award in my eighth-grade social studies class. (I also recall an unfortunate solo at a choir concert which forced me to quit piano lessons when my instructor wanted me to sing at a recital. It was a piano recital, after all, and it’s much easier to sing in front of a few hundred people than, say, a dozen. Who can figure out the logic of a teenager?)

But I digress. The point is, it seems today’s youth have so much more courage — and, may I say, sheer talent — than I remember having when I was their age. At a time when bullying has become such an issue, it’s nice to see kids enjoying themselves and not worrying about what others may say.

And, at a time when our public schools have to make tough choices between arts education and teaching the basics, it’s good to know parents still see the value of music and theater and seek out opportunities to broaden their children’s horizons.

The kids I’ve seen over the past few days set a great example for having good, clean fun while building poise and confidence. They’ll grow up well.

-Kathy Reed, editor