“Quartz is such a good opportunity for someone interested in visual and performing arts,” Van Swearingen said.

When Van Swearingen arrives at Quartz Mountain in June, she will spend two weeks enhancing her creative writing skills. Van Swearingen said she has been writing since her early childhood.

“It’s just something I have always been passionate about,” she said.

The teenager said she finds enjoyment writing about poetry. She also looks forward to meeting people who share similar interests.

“I think the experience itself is going to be an inspiration to me,” she said.

Hannah Stapp, 15, will be the second person in her family to study at OSAI.

“My dad went 20 years ago,” she said.

Stapp said she is interested in photography and auditioned for the program using a portfolio filled with 10 pictures. She learned in April that she was accepted into the summer arts program.

“I hope that I learn a lot more,” she said. “Right now, I have taught myself to take pictures.”

Stapp said she has only used digital cameras to photograph objects and will learn how equipment inside dark rooms is used to process pictures.

“I hope I get a lot of good pictures out of it because it will add to my portfolio,” she said.

Collier said the program will make it easier for parents to keep in touch with their children while gone to OSAI.

“Parents and friends of the Norman students will be able to keep up with what’s going on at Quartz Mountain by listening to the podcasts on their computer or MP3 player. The podcasts will include recordings of performances, interviews with students and faculty and more. The podcasts also will feature lots of photos, including candids and behind-the-scenes type shots. Check our Web site in a couple of weeks for the first podcast: www.oaiquartz.org.”

Meghan McCormick

366-3539