I caught up with goth fashion models Kynt and Vyxsin not too long ago.  They made a name for themselves as the pink-and-black clad competitors who gave the CBS television show "The Amazing Race" a new face.

They're outlandish, fun, and frisky--and amazingly down-to-earth.  (They're fun-loving and straightforward, in my honest opinion.)

They definitely have opinions of their own, but over Thai food the three of us agreed on more things than disagreed.  I'm more on the conservative side, they're more on the liberal side.  But no claws came out, no defensive arms thrown in the air, and no words of frustration.  I thought to myself,  "You know, they're on the nearly-opposite side of the political spectrum from me, but they're more interested in finding common ground and making positive change than finding things to disagree and nitpick on."

It's refreshing to see and hear people who will let you be yourself and hold your own opinions, and not demand that you conform to theirs.

One big issue they're into is funding for the arts in schools.  They told me that channeling into at least one medium of art and creativity helps so many children become more composed, confident individuals, whether it's theatre, painting, drawing, music, or public speaking.  They said that seeing funding for these programs disappear may make children more apprehensive to express themselves on their own terms in today's society.

When I was really young, I had a stutter and I was very nervous.  I was "that kid" who got picked on a bit, and it really bothered me.  However, theatre and speech classes helped me refine my speaking, gain confidence, and finish high school as a girl comfortable in her own skin.  If it hadn't been for my education in the arts, I really don't know what I would be doing right now.  In my opinion, every person is a smart, capable individual; but you have to coax the best qualities out of a person by putting them in the right environment.  It just so happened that I was lucky enough to get some of the best teachers in some great schools.

Oh, something that Vyxsin and I have in common?  She's also an Army brat.  (Go Army!)

Anyway, enjoy!