For those of you living in a cave or who are too cool to enjoy the fun of these High School Musical movies, it’s a simple story of a basketball player who takes the courageous step to cultivate his other love...music and theatre. And for those lucky enough to know Shawn, we all have watched as this young man did the exact same thing...but on a much bigger and more intimidating stage called real life.
Talk about guts!
A jock willing to wear on his sleeve his love for theatre and dancing? Now that is courage!
“I’ve always loved sports,” Carter said. “But I’ve also always loved music and acting and dancing. I wanted to do it all.”
Carter has done just that. The Bountiful High senior has made the lacrosse and basketball teams, but has had to cut out of practice and even some games to pursue his other passion. Fortunately, Shawn has had coaches and teammates who have supported him along the way.
“My basketball coaches have been real supportive of my acting and dancing career,” Carter said. “They and my teammates know how important that part of my life is and they push me to be the best I can be in that area of my life as well as in sports.”
Carter often has to fly to Los Angeles for auditions and has missed parts or all of different sports season to pursue his acting career. Carter appreciates those at Bountiful High for their interest and help.
“My teachers and the administrators are so helpful,” Carter said. “What I like is that they give me the time to do the things I need to for my career, but they also hold me accountable for school and sports. It’s not like I’m given a free ride because I’m in movies. They push me and I appreciate it.”
They also tease him.
“I get the ribbing from everyone and it’s fun. Everyone is real fun about what I do.”
Carter is one of those guys who also likes to be just part of the crowd. You can find him at school activities just hanging out with his friends and cheering for the Bountiful High teams. He doesn’t strut, doesn’t brag, but will always sign an autograph for a kid or take a picture for a friend. And he takes it all with a grateful grain of salt.
“I have never looked at myself as famous or anything like that. I am just a kid who does what I do.”
During filming this summer of “High School Musical 3,” Carter appreciated his teammates enough to invite them down to East High to watch part of the movie being filmed.
“I want them to be part of this experience that they have helped give me,” Carter said. “I also like to have them with me at different things to show them what I’m doing when I’m away. I like spending time with my friends and they deserve to be part of this.”
What Carter says is real. I know it first hand. I have an 11-year-old niece who lives out of state and is borderline addicted to the High School Musical movies. Prior to the release of HSM3, Shawn signed a photograph that I then sent to her. My niece, Aubrey, was thrilled and she and her friends went to the movie and screamed Shawn’s name every time they saw him on the screen.
A few days later I was with Shawn and his parents, Bob and Kathy, at a special screening of HSM3 and I asked Shawn if he would call Aubrey. He stopped everything he was doing and called her on his cell phone. They visited for a few minutes and it has become one of those moments in this little girl’s life that is paramount above all others. She is smitten.
Shawn has been an example to many people. He has showed all of us that we need to let our children dream their dreams, get out of their way so they can live the life they are here to live, finding their own path to happiness. And who knows maybe our kids can be the next Troy Bolton or Shawn Carter. If not, at least our kids can find true happiness.
Thanks, Shawn!
sschulte@davisclipper.com
Post a Comment
