YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A major Nashville songwriter with Valley roots is back on her old stomping grounds - helping empower young people to get involved in the arts.

From the first notes they play to the first dance moves they learn, a child who gets involved with the arts wants to be heard - to be understood - and to be celebrated.

"The arts are what make us human," says SMARTS School President Becky Keck. "They're the thing that allows us to learn."
SMARTS - or Students Motivated by the Arts - provides access and early training in the arts for our region's K-12 youth.
Wednesday night, students, staff and friends of the school got together at Stambaugh Auditorium for the first time to look back on the last two-plus decades, and look ahead to the years to come.

"I think there's a lot of support for SMARTS and that's because of our mission, that's because of the good work we've done in the last 22 years, really it's based on our reputation," says Keck.

One of those friends of the school knows that reputation well - hit Nashville songwriter Kirsti Manna.
The Poland native wrote Blake Shelton's breakthrough hit "Austin" and has made a living writing songs for other big names.
As keynote speaker, she was back home to challenge the youngsters in the room to find the same inspiration she did.

"You can move the world in so many ways and it doesn't have to be that you become a famous person, it can be something that you do in your community like smarts is doing with the students here," Manna said.

Her message - make the most of your artistic gifts so you can convey your message to the world, whether it takes them to the top of the charts or the top of their class.

"I really hope everybody in this community can be motivated by what SMARTS is doing," Manna said.

Kirsti Manna and SMARTS will be hosting a Songwriter Girl Camp at the Ohio One Building in Downtown Youngstown on Saturday.
There are a few spots left for women ages 13 and up.
To register, visit www.smartsartschool.org/songwritergirl/