Fresno kids show off artistic talent at school parade

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A local middle school is kicking off the school year in style. Class by class, the kids at Bullard Talent showcase what it means to be a student at their school.

As young as kindergarten, students at the specialty school participate in music and arts programs.

"The visual and performing arts doesn't just train them for a career in the visual and performing arts it makes them college and career ready for whatever they choose to do," teacher Jane Wagner said.

The parade and celebration Friday kicks off the start to another artistic year for the Magnet School. Each class adopted a theme that signifies what it means to be part of the BT community.

"In order for our program to work we have an incredible amount of volunteerism from our families and since minions were created for service they decided to adopt that.," Wagner said.

Keynote speaker Salisha Thomas is Miss California World 2016. She's also a Broadway performer and a former Disney princess, but most importantly she's a former Bullard Talent student.

"This is where I first performed on a stage," she said. "The first place I even stood on a stage was here. And now to be in a Broadway show is really full circle and awesome."

She said the school, where the arts come first, is the reason she was able to succeed. Now she hopes to pass along some inspiration to these young performers and for them to pursue their artistic goals.

"I feel like not enough people go for their dreams and it's so nice to see that they are teaching that at such a young age here," Thomas said.

It's a parade of hopeful stars, marching to the beat of their own drum.