Amy James-Forrette conducts a band ensemble during the December 13th "A Winter Celebration" event.
On December 13 the Lucerne Valley Middle High School music, art, photography, drama and culinary arts programs held their annual event, “A Winter Celebration.” The two-hour event showcased the notable progress the students have been making this school year.
During the first hour, the attendees got a chance to look at the photography with some items for sale, the drawings and paintings, art installations and ceramics.
Photography and Art
Teacher John Wortham’s photo history students demonstrated their hands-on skills taking the year-long, 10-elective credit. Their photos of the campus and zoo field trip demonstrated a variety of composition techniques. About one-third of the time students work on their composition outside. The students also learn the basics of Photoshop and how to edit and print photos for competition.
Teacher Mary Vasquez has expanded her program that help take students through their creative journey. This year there are four classes: Art 1, in which students learn the basics of drawing and painting followed by Art 2, where they learn advanced skills with deeper concepts in color, composition and design. Art Installation gives students an opportunity to enhance school spaces. The ceramics classes take students through shaping their art piece to the final firing in one of the school’s two kilns.
When I first started teaching, I got to know the students a little when I was substitute teaching back in April 2023. I started teaching full time as the art teacher at the beginning of 2023-2024 school year.
“At the beginning of the school year we went over the fundamentals in art and the students really took off after that,” Ms. Vasquez says. “We had about 35 artworks from the high school and middle school featured with Assemblyman Tom Lackey's art show at the Victor Valley Museum for about three months time. The students learned how to grid and paint a 32-foot mural in the main quad of the school as well as learn how to research and write out a grant proposal so they could take their creativity and skillset out in the world.”
By the end of the school year last year, students had the skills to compose, use color and materials, and creatively express themselves.
“We had three art shows so far since I have been here and the most recent one we had a plethora of three dimensional artwork including paper-mache Alibrijes and ceramic sculptures. The students are becoming more involved in art appreciation and are feeling confident to express themselves in the art class.
The teacher opened up breakfast and lunch times for students to come in and use materials and create artwork even if they are not enrolled in an art class.
“We also have the art club where recently students created ceramic ornaments to sell to their community. I want to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where the students can create and express themselves in a creative and productive way.”
Michael Haecker is the school’s graphic arts teacher.
Later in the program the winners of the art show contest were named:
Best in show - Nancy Vrolyks, 9th Grader
1st Place - Sonia Beede, 12th grader
2nd Place - Tyler Reighard, 12th Grader
3rd Place - Ashlyn McTiernan, 10th Grader
Culinary Arts/Hospitality Club
Also at the event attendees had the opportunity to enjoy food or refreshments prepared and served by the Hospitality Club, which is made up of culinary arts students. All students have a food handlers card, which they obtain in the classroom. They have the opportunity to serve food at campus activities including school dances, festivals, club fair and onsite restaurant, the Coral. Ashley Lear is the Culinary Arts teacher.
Music
The centerpiece of “A Winter Celebration” is the music concert directed by teacher Amy James-Forrette. Kicking off the concert was the Beginning Band, which performed “Winter Winds” by Randall D. Standridge and “Merry Christmas to All,” by Sandy Feldstein and John O’Reilly.
The Beginning Band, which is made up of middle school students learning the basics, consists of the following musicians: Flute: Gabriel Garcia, Gabriel Herrera, Taz Smith, Erika Reece and Christine Torres; Trumpet: Chevy Jones and Aaron Pinedo; Euphonium: Juan Negrete Sanchez; Tuba: Zharek Hiromi Miramontes; Clarinet: Isabella Bedolla, Solaire Galvan; Alto Saxophone: Ivan Mendieta; Trombone: Odin Genter, Gavan Strauss; Percussion: Audrey Mosley and Nathan Robles.
Next up was the Advanced Band. Consisting of high school student who have successfully completed band, the band played “Chorale and Mystic Chant” by Timothy Loest, “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Rossetti and Gustav Holst and arranged by Ms. James-Forrette, and “Alarm” by Randall D. Standridge.
The Musicians of the Advanced Band: Flute, Lily Cobos; Cinthia Surber; Clarinet: Isabella McCuistion; Trombone: Gavan Strauss; Alto Saxophone: Liam Barcelos, Caitlyn Alpizar; Trumpet: Jaxon Murdock; Percussion, Sarai Rodriguez.
The Choir, which is made up of Kaitlyn Bruce, Lona Malone, Karlie Shea, Judith Orozco, Kaden Tinder, and Jennifer Fernandez sang several songs: “J’entends le Moulin” arranged by Emily Crocker, “Once Upon a December” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and arranged by Audrey Snyder and “Laudamus Te” by Andrew Parr.
The String Orchestra closed the show with “Golden Grove” by Brian Balmages,” “Gap of Dunloe (Gateway to MacGillicuddy’s Reeks)” by Chris Thomas, and “Gothic Quest” by Emily Golan. The orchestra members are Violin: Meilani Nguyen, Isela Barrita and Sarai Rodriguez; Viola: Zyeira Barrientos Miramontes, Kaden Tinder; and Cello: Rylee Giles, Irvin Angeles and Leon Willoughby.
Serving as event announces were members of the HS Drama Club. The announcers were Yomari Calderon, Roberta Fernandez, Jennifer Fernandez an Lona Malone.