High School Nation Tour hits Utah's Copper Hills High

The touring festival with Drake Bell, Dakota Bradley, Izzy Malik, Noelle Bean and NIKOS supports arts education.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Students cheer as Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Dakota Bradley performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Students cheer as Nikos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, which aims to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Students cheer as Nikos Klimentos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Students cheer as Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Nikos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Izzy Malik performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

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Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Dakota Bradley performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Nikos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, which aims to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Nikos Klimentos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Drake Bell performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Nikos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Students cheer as Noelle Bean performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Dakota Bradley performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Nikos performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Izzy Malik performs during a concert at Copper Hills High School Tuesday September 30, 2014. Copper Hills High School was selected for a stop by The High School Nation Tour, featuring country singer Dakota Bradley and others including Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, as well as Jacob Latimore, NIKOS and Noelle Bean, with DJ UnieQ hosting the show. The High School Nation Tour's objective is to increase awareness for the need to maintain the music and arts programs in public schools. HSN donates over $10,000 in music and arts supplies to EACH school on the tour. By the end of the tour, HSN will have donated over $500,000 to school programs.

By Benjamin Wood The Salt Lake Tribune

· September 30, 2014 6:28 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The High School Nation Tour stopped in West Jordan on Tuesday, treating Copper Hills High School students to an afternoon of free entertainment and $10,000 in music and art supplies for their school.

The traveling festival included interactive art and music demonstrations and performances by Drake Bell, Dakota Bradley, Izzy Malik, Noelle Bean and the rock group NIKOS.

High School Nation founder Jimmy Cantillon said the goal behind the tour is to keep arts education alive in public high schools.

"This isn't something where we're trying to make money from the schools," he said. "We're trying to support their programs."

Cantillon said that when choosing schools to visit, organizers look for diverse student populations and administrators who are enthusiastic about the arts.

He said each of the 50 schools on the tour receive a DW drum set, Sony wireless microphones, a silent rehearsal studio and other equipment basics such as guitar strings. Schools also receive a $500 check for art supplies and a $1,000 store credit at the nearest Guitar Center.

"Besides giving them specific items we want them to be able to access stuff that they really need," he said.

Assistant Principal Bryan Veazie said the donations will have a significant impact on the school's arts programs. "Ten thousand dollars will go a long way in helping our performing arts and our visual arts departments."

NIKOS frontman Nikos Klimentos said the tour is a departure from the shows his band typically plays, but he enjoys being part of an event that encourages students to think creatively.

"I love performing for kids and playing for them," he said. "It was an opportunity to not just play for them but reach out to them on a personal level."

bwood@sltrib.com