Statesman Journal article on CJ's U of O signing

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Musician signs to play at Oregon
Viola player celebrates scholarship in unique way
10:59 PM, Apr. 12, 2012 | 1 Comments

West Salem student signs with UO: West Salem High School Titan Christina Tatman, who was recruited by University of Oregon for a music scholarship, signs a letter of intent during a signing ceremony Thursday, April 12, 2012.
Written by
Justin Much
Statesman Journal

It appears to be a good fit.

West Salem High School senior Christina Tatman, known as “CJ” to her friends, signed a letter of intent Thursday to play for the University of Oregon. The 5-foot-11, Tatman will keep the forest green school colors, trading the black Titan trim for traditional Duck yellow.

A full house turned out to witness the newest Oregon signee — a viola player.

“This is cute,” said Leslie Straka, professor of viola at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. “We don’t normally do this for music.”

Straka said it was a first for her; not the scholarship signing, but the manner in which Titan pride was rolled out for the event. Dozens of students — mostly from CJ’s music and chemistry classes — filtered into the West Salem High conference room, along with CJ’s parents, Steve and Karen Tatman; her brother Brendon; West Salem High Principal Ed John; and orchestra director Daryl Silberman, who orchestrated the signing.

Silberman said: “We do this for athletes, so I thought ‘Why not for music?’ ”

The scholarship will cover about two-thirds of the annual school expense.

Although Thursday’s signing is more common with athletics, earning a scholarship is not. West Salem’s career services specialist Sarah Singleton said that 213 scholarships, totaling more than $3 million, were awarded to West Salem students in 2011. Among those, 59 were awarded for academic achievement, 17 for music. Only five were for athletics.

Singleton said that the individual scholarship awards varied, from $500 to a full ride, and some students can earn more than one award.

According to the NCAA, there are about 126,000 student athletes nationally who receive scholarships or athletically-related financial aid. Total awards are about $2 billion administered through Division I and Division II schools. Division III schools do not offer athletically-related financial aid.

Looking at the larger picture, Federal Student Aid reports that the U.S. Department of Education provides more than $150 billion in new aid to nearly 14 million postsecondary students and their families. That aid is distributed by a number of methods, including grants, loans and work study programs. That aid goes to students such as CJ Tatman. Silberman applauded CJ’s efforts to make it happen.

“CJ is disciplined. She is dedicated. She’s a hard worker. She’s gone the extra mile to make this work for her,” Silberman said.

Karen Tatman said her daughter has always loved music, especially classical, and had a yearning to play at a young age, although she had to wait until third grade because of school policy.

CJ intends to sharpen her skills, maximize her potential and give something back, which is why Straka and the University of Oregon stood out.

“She made it really easy to make the decision to go there,” CJ said. “I also met a lot of the current students and faculty, and they were all very welcoming.”

CJ fortifies her music prowess with a strong mathematical aptitude, and she might pursue a double major. Her long range plans include teaching music at the college level.

jmuch@statesmanjournal.com or (503) 399-6736 or follow at twitter.com/justinmuch