Simply put, Matt Cunningham’s success in academics and music come from hard work and dedication.
But, it takes a little prodding to get Matt to admit he is among the brightest of the bright in this year’s Iola High graduating class.
OK, he finally will say, “I do work hard, that’s the key. I am dedicated and I do spend a lot of time studying.”
The result has been a 4.0 grade point average — all A’s.
As much as he obviously is pleased with his academic success, what he has accomplished in music is his favorite topic.
Example: He was selected to the Kansas all-state high school orchestra, one of just five violinists from outside Kansas City or Wichita selected, and just three from southeast Kansas.
“There were 100 who tried out for 22 first violin spots,” Cunningham said.
In his typical lean to modesty, Matt said the reason he did well in tryouts and was selected was that “there aren’t that many who play the violin,” particularly at the high school level.
Don’t believe it. Matt was selected because he is very good.
Many evenings, after his mother, Betty Cunningham, has dinner dished washed and put away and his sixth-grade brother, Nathan, snugly tucked in bed, she seats herself at the piano and helps Matt practice his violin. The session are enjoyable for mother and son, as well as Tiger, the family rabbit, who dances about the room while Matt plays.
“Tigger doesn’t stop dancing the whole time Matthew is practicing,” said Betty.
Matt is the 10th of Betty and Glen Cunningham’s 12 children — Rebecca, a sophomore at Iola High, is the other younger — and he has carried on a family tradition of academic achievement and exceptional skill with music.
“He’s a joy to have around,” Betty said. “He’s hard-working and trust-worthy,” traits any mother would love to use to describe a son or daughter.
He also plays the piano and has been involved in music in some fashion since he was a toddler.
“That’s been my main activity in school,” Matt said, recalling that he opted out of a going to state History Bowl competition with the Iola High team to participate with the state orchestra. That cost him a trip to Washington, D.C., when the history team finished high enough at the state level to advance.
The team’s coach, Travis Hermstein gave him an opportunity to go along, but he deferred, reasoning that since he didn’t contribute he shouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
