Lulu is a student at Kradwell School, located on the on the campus of Aurora Psychiatric Hospital in Wauwatosa, WI. Kradwell is currently expanding its art room thanks to generous donors to Aurora Health Care Foundation. One of the donors is Michael Johnston, a Foundation teammate who is passionate about the applied and performing arts – and who befriended Lulu, inspiring her to write her college application letter below to Marquette University.
All my life, I have had the privilege to meet and build relationships with extraordinary people. It seems that often, these people show up in my life in the exact moments when I find myself needing guidance. They always provide valuable resources that send me down the right path. The most profound and meaningful experience I’ve had so far was at my high school when I was introduced to Michael through my art teacher.
Our school was involved in a longstanding fundraising campaign to expand the art room, and Michael was working with one of the liaisons to reach out to potential donors that would financially support the art room’s expansion. I was a new student to the school, and I had so much to learn about myself and my abilities. I struggled with anxiety at the time. As a new student, I was very quiet and unsure of how I fit into the scene of the school. My anxiety often ruled my life, and it was quite debilitating.
It all faded away when Michael came into the art room to see what projects students were working on. Some people have a light that draws others to them and there is no explanation to why that is. My art teacher had suggested I show Michael the sketch I had been working on as well as a few of the finished pieces. The next thing I knew, I was showing off my project to this guy with really cool pink glasses. He was unbelievably kind, enthusiastic and he was genuinely impressed by my work.
Michael and I began talking about my drawings of Broadway actresses, my love of theater, and my wishes to be on stage as a performer. My art teacher had mentioned to everyone in the room that I was a singer and was supposedly pretty good at it. With some encouragement and a little hesitation, I ended up singing one of my favorite songs from Stephen Sondheim’s musical Passion. When I was done with the song, Michael looked at me and told me that I had a place in the arts, that I had strong talent, something I could build on with hard work.
Michael’s words had given me such a boost of encouragement, I don't think I had ever felt so settled in my own abilities than at that moment. It was kind of baffling that I could go from having no trust and confidence in myself, to feeling like the entire world could be mine if I worked hard enough. To this day, his words are the most meaningful compliments I have ever received. Our energies matched, he truly picked up my essence. When you walk into a room and you feel someone's energy envelop you, you find a source of inspiration that will last a lifetime.
A few weeks later, a box arrived at my school and my art teacher told me that it was from Michael. I carefully opened the box and saw a glint of a black picture frame. After painstakingly pulling out the staples to reveal the picture in the frame, I realized that it was a playbill from the original production of Sondheim’s Passion, signed by Stephen Sondheim himself in gold marker. I was honored to find that Michael remembered the song I had sung to him was from that specific musical and took the time to go through his expansive collection of Broadway memorabilia to find a gift so personal and meaningful.
His gift came with a card that offered more amazing words of empowering encouragement. This confidence he gifted me opened millions of doors. I'd never felt more energized. I knew I would take on the world. Before that, school felt like a dead end. I struggled to see a future for myself at that time. Sometimes life gets too heavy, and you can’t see past the bog. Yet, when you know that someone is out there, so close to you, and that they hold such high hopes for you it gives you a wealth of will power, energy, and strength.
All of the sudden, I could see myself in a lecture hall, a corridor through a college building, the campus of a college, having a life, learning how to become the person he saw in me, learning how to embrace my skills and talents and build on my weaknesses, I owe that to him. Because of Michael’s gift of confidence, I am applying to Marquette’s renowned theater program. I never thought I would get this far, but Michael taught me to believe in myself and embrace my future. It's amazing how a black picture frame, a playbill, golden letters, and a man with pink glasses can turn someone's life around in wonderful, unexpected ways.
About Kradwell School
Kradwell helps students who struggle in traditional school settings by providing individualized instruction and a unique curriculum tailored to the emotional and academic strengths of each student.
“I found out about Kradwell in 2005, not long after I started at Aurora Health Care Foundation. As a self-proclaimed ‘square peg,’ I couldn’t help thinking it could’ve been perfect for me when I was a student,” shared Michael. “I truly have a warm spot in my heart for this school and its art studio. I was overwhelmed after seeing the new space and was fortunate to meet Lulu, a force of nature who bowled me over with her artistic ability and her bigger-than-life personality. She simply shone like the star she is. And she sang a Stephen Sondheim song to me! Can you imagine? Being a fan of the arts, I met a triple threat who became an extraordinary friend – and I just know she’ll be a Tony Award-winning star!”
For some families, tuition at Kradwell — a private school that receives no state or federal funding — can be a significant obstacle to what may be their child's last hope for a better future. Thanks to generous donors like Michael and their ongoing support over the years, Kradwell is able to help students pursue a better educational path. If you would like to contribute to our mission, make a gift today.
“I’m grateful to be just a small contributor to the gem that is Kradwell School,” added Michael. “To all the Lulus out there getting their footing, training and education – I salute you. There is magic in your futures!”