With the 2014 - 2015 school year coming to a close Golden Valley seniors are readily awaiting their last day; May 22. In light of this I went around campus and spoke with many seniors to get a glimpse of their feelings as they are soon to venture into the great beyond, whether it be college or joining the working world.
One of the first seniors I spoke with, Emily Carpenter, will be attending Marymount Manhattan College in New York and majoring in theater arts. Life throws many challenges at us and some that Emily said she's expecting as she progresses in life are "maintaining friendships that I've made in high school and advancing in my major." Despite these challenges Carpenter still has high hopes saying "I want to love what I'm doing & be on Broadway."
Seniors have had four years to participate in a wide range of activities. Austin Cole, attending Grand Canyon University and majoring in digital arts, said "If I could do it over again I would do more theater classes and participate in spring and fall plays. And probably take an art class." Abby Talavera, attending Masters College and majoring in biology, commented with "I'd participate in theater production more."
Four years is a lot of time for someone to change. As we grow older things happen to create us into our adult forms that we grace the world with. Christina Chartier, still deciding on a college and planning to major in nursing, mentioned that "I've changed because I'm more mature and responsible and I'm capable of making decisions and learning from my mistakes." Kris Contreras, attending Pierce College and majoring in veterinary sciences, said "I've learned to set goals for myself and I've accomplished a lot academically."
High school gives us a lot of memories and things to look back on. Joe Barilla, attending community college and then FIDM, majoring in graphic design and fashion merchandising, said he will look back on high school and remember many things with a fondness. "I will always remember show choir because it was a major part of my high school year since freshman year. I'll also remember senior ditch day, first homecoming (freshman year), and show choir comps." Austin Cole will remember "... marching band. It was was a lot of fun and competitions and making friends were the best part."
With these seniors getting ready to leave there comes a whole new era of seniors. I caught up with these "soon to be" seniors and asked them if they had any words to say to the leaving seniors. Alex Herrera said "Good luck with everything you do." Star Austria gave a tad of advice saying "Enjoy life put out of high school but stay focused." Sebastian Sotello encouraged them with "Thanks for the memories and I hope you achieve whatever it is you hope to achieve." And Ronaldo Arista finished it off with "I'll see you all in ten years."
These four years have truly been a journey for seniors. Many changes are to come in their lives and you can only hope that we, those venturing out, are emotionally and mentally prepared for the challenges to come our way. I wish the best for all my fellow seniors and let's go out with a bang. Remember, class of 2015: "We'll make history!"
By Charisse B. Atherley (Class of 2015)
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Shrek: The Musical
This year, Golden Valley is going full out and for their spring play are presenting “Shrek: The Musical” directed by theater teacher and chair, Janie Prucha. Shrek is a movie many of us young people (and young at heart) know very well. It’s an unconventional love story between an ogre named Shrek and Princess Fiona.
Starring as the leading roles are Matthew Farrand as Shrek, Samantha Gebers as beautiful Princess Fiona, Ryan Watson as Lord Farquaad, and Eriel Brown as the well known and beloved “noble steed”, Donkey.
Each of these actors brings something special to their characters. When asked what they thought it was, Brown mentioned that she’s “outgoing and that helps with being Donkey.” Daniel Sotelo, playing Grumpy the Dwarf, said “I bring my wide range of voices and I’m a bit eccentric just like my character.”
Opening night was April 29. I spoke with many of the actors beforehand and got a feel for their anticipation for the play. Jaidah Sizer, starring as the Wicked Witch, summed up her feelings with “It’s going to be Shrektastic!” Sebastian Sotelo, playing the Big Bad Wolf, commented on opening night with “We’re gonna kick butt. I’m confident in our cast. We’re going to have fun. It’s about entertaining the masses.” Ms. Prucha exclaimed that she is “Excited for opening night. All you need is an audience.”, and boy did they get one.
The night began with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the seats quickly filling, the hum of anticipation filling as proud parents and fellow students filed in, reading their programs, commenting on things such as the lead roles and the vast musical numbers.
The play began promptly at 7 p.m. starting with opening number “Big, Bright, Beautiful World”. Right off the bat the actors stunned with their vocal prowess. As the play progressed laughter could be heard throughout the crowd, a sure sign of them being entertained.
The crowd seemed to especially enjoy the musical number “What’s Up, Duloc?” as laughter filled the auditorium in response to Lord Farquaad’s dance moves. Watson brought to life his character with great skill and just the right amount of humor.
Being one of the main characters, I caught up with Lord Farquaad and asked him how he felt his character added to the play. He responded with “My character adds the whole conflict. The story wouldn’t be the story without my character,” which is very true.
When the cast was asked how they felt about getting the opportunity to do Shrek, Jaidah said “Shrek is a good choice because it’s filled with different stories fun crazy thing and everyone gets to let their personality shine through.” Farrand commented that “It’s a good idea to do Shrek because teens, kids, and even adults are interested in it and it will draw a good crowd.”
Casting is obviously one of the biggest parts of getting any play together. I asked other cast members how they felt about the casting choices. Daniel Sotelo commented with “The main characters have sublime genetic makeup for their roles. They fit perfectly.” Josh Aran, starring as Papa Bear, gave a word of advice. “Never precast in your head. Prucha knows what she’s doing.”
Janie Prucha is very proud of the kids and the work they’ve put in. “We’ve been working since January. Over 50 kids are participating in this spring musical.” Their hard work definitely paid off.
A wonderful theater program is just one of the many things that Golden Valley offers. With all the multi-talented students Ms. Prucha has in the theater department it’s no surprise Shrek was a huge success. As the program moves forward I firmly believe that no matter their next project is it will be as Shrektastic as this one!
– Charisse B. Atherley
Starring as the leading roles are Matthew Farrand as Shrek, Samantha Gebers as beautiful Princess Fiona, Ryan Watson as Lord Farquaad, and Eriel Brown as the well known and beloved “noble steed”, Donkey.
Each of these actors brings something special to their characters. When asked what they thought it was, Brown mentioned that she’s “outgoing and that helps with being Donkey.” Daniel Sotelo, playing Grumpy the Dwarf, said “I bring my wide range of voices and I’m a bit eccentric just like my character.”
Opening night was April 29. I spoke with many of the actors beforehand and got a feel for their anticipation for the play. Jaidah Sizer, starring as the Wicked Witch, summed up her feelings with “It’s going to be Shrektastic!” Sebastian Sotelo, playing the Big Bad Wolf, commented on opening night with “We’re gonna kick butt. I’m confident in our cast. We’re going to have fun. It’s about entertaining the masses.” Ms. Prucha exclaimed that she is “Excited for opening night. All you need is an audience.”, and boy did they get one.
The night began with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the seats quickly filling, the hum of anticipation filling as proud parents and fellow students filed in, reading their programs, commenting on things such as the lead roles and the vast musical numbers.
The play began promptly at 7 p.m. starting with opening number “Big, Bright, Beautiful World”. Right off the bat the actors stunned with their vocal prowess. As the play progressed laughter could be heard throughout the crowd, a sure sign of them being entertained.
The crowd seemed to especially enjoy the musical number “What’s Up, Duloc?” as laughter filled the auditorium in response to Lord Farquaad’s dance moves. Watson brought to life his character with great skill and just the right amount of humor.
Being one of the main characters, I caught up with Lord Farquaad and asked him how he felt his character added to the play. He responded with “My character adds the whole conflict. The story wouldn’t be the story without my character,” which is very true.
When the cast was asked how they felt about getting the opportunity to do Shrek, Jaidah said “Shrek is a good choice because it’s filled with different stories fun crazy thing and everyone gets to let their personality shine through.” Farrand commented that “It’s a good idea to do Shrek because teens, kids, and even adults are interested in it and it will draw a good crowd.”
Casting is obviously one of the biggest parts of getting any play together. I asked other cast members how they felt about the casting choices. Daniel Sotelo commented with “The main characters have sublime genetic makeup for their roles. They fit perfectly.” Josh Aran, starring as Papa Bear, gave a word of advice. “Never precast in your head. Prucha knows what she’s doing.”
Janie Prucha is very proud of the kids and the work they’ve put in. “We’ve been working since January. Over 50 kids are participating in this spring musical.” Their hard work definitely paid off.
I talked with the four leads and asked how they felt about getting lead roles; especially since two of the leads, Fiona (Gebers) and Donkey (Brown) are seniors. Samantha felt “blessed to have one of the leads. It’s a huge privilege.” Ryan said “I love being a main character although it’s a lot of work remembering lines.” Matthew felt “privileged to be lead. It’s nice to feel like your hard work was worth it and you earned it.” For Eriel she felt it was “a pleasure to bring him (Donkey) to life in our musical.”
A wonderful theater program is just one of the many things that Golden Valley offers. With all the multi-talented students Ms. Prucha has in the theater department it’s no surprise Shrek was a huge success. As the program moves forward I firmly believe that no matter their next project is it will be as Shrektastic as this one!
– Charisse B. Atherley
Show Choir is Here
Spring time has arrived at Golden Valley High School and the show choir program is in its 9th year. Kerry Riccio, the program director, is pumped for this year’s competition season. Something new this year is that there are two different show choirs: novice and intermediate. Intermediate show choir has been preparing long and hard for competition season and with it arriving, the pressure is on.
Senior Samie Gebers is in her third year of the program and is also part of the intermediate show choir. With it being her last year, she’s definitely feeling excited yet nostalgic. When asked what was one fundamental thing she learned from being in the program, she couldn’t choose one thing. “I’ve learned to communicate. You learn to accept people for who they are. Everyone is just one big family,” she said.
Many students, including senior Joe Barilla and freshman Haley Prucha, said that they gained confidence from being in show choir. “Show choir helps you build confidence, especially if you’ve come from a sheltered place before high school,” said Barilla.
The program has served as a creative outlet and safe haven for students from all different walks of life. Mrs. Riccio is a strong believer in having the students treat each other with respect and caring at all times. “The family atmosphere grows and strengthens each year. I always tell the kids they don’t have to like each other every moment, but they must love each other and have each other’s backs,” said Riccio.
One would assume that with their being two show choirs the tensions would be high, but like Mrs. Riccio said, her choirs are all one big family. The intermediate show choir supports the lower level fully. “You can learn the basics in novice and then move into advanced, and bring what you’ve learned and help others, if necessary,” said junior Ryan Watson.
When asked what novice performers could work on, sophomore Faith Jeffries offered up that they could “… learn how to blend a little more, voices and personalities. Everyone is different but we’re a family all the same.”
This year, the Show Choir has accomplished some amazing things. Those accomplishments includes placing first at the Cyprus competition and third at the Los Alamitos. Jeffries and Eriel Brown won Best Performer at perspective competitions. Jeffries at Cyprus and Brown at Los Alamitos. Winning these titles made each girl proud and honored, but they brought it around and said that although they placed as best performer they’re still more proud of the show choir as a whole.
When asked what some things are that helped them achieve their accomplishments Brown stated, “It was tough love from their leaders and just hard work put in by the choir as a whole.”
On their agenda for the remainder of the school year is a huge trip to Carnegie Hall in New York for Golden Valley’s Women’s Choir. While in New York, they will be preforming as well as sight-seeing.
It’ll be exciting watching what the two show choirs as well as the other choirs end up accomplishing this year and the coming year.
- Charisse B. Atherley and Daniel Patino
Senior Samie Gebers is in her third year of the program and is also part of the intermediate show choir. With it being her last year, she’s definitely feeling excited yet nostalgic. When asked what was one fundamental thing she learned from being in the program, she couldn’t choose one thing. “I’ve learned to communicate. You learn to accept people for who they are. Everyone is just one big family,” she said.
Many students, including senior Joe Barilla and freshman Haley Prucha, said that they gained confidence from being in show choir. “Show choir helps you build confidence, especially if you’ve come from a sheltered place before high school,” said Barilla.
The program has served as a creative outlet and safe haven for students from all different walks of life. Mrs. Riccio is a strong believer in having the students treat each other with respect and caring at all times. “The family atmosphere grows and strengthens each year. I always tell the kids they don’t have to like each other every moment, but they must love each other and have each other’s backs,” said Riccio.
One would assume that with their being two show choirs the tensions would be high, but like Mrs. Riccio said, her choirs are all one big family. The intermediate show choir supports the lower level fully. “You can learn the basics in novice and then move into advanced, and bring what you’ve learned and help others, if necessary,” said junior Ryan Watson.
When asked what novice performers could work on, sophomore Faith Jeffries offered up that they could “… learn how to blend a little more, voices and personalities. Everyone is different but we’re a family all the same.”
This year, the Show Choir has accomplished some amazing things. Those accomplishments includes placing first at the Cyprus competition and third at the Los Alamitos. Jeffries and Eriel Brown won Best Performer at perspective competitions. Jeffries at Cyprus and Brown at Los Alamitos. Winning these titles made each girl proud and honored, but they brought it around and said that although they placed as best performer they’re still more proud of the show choir as a whole.
When asked what some things are that helped them achieve their accomplishments Brown stated, “It was tough love from their leaders and just hard work put in by the choir as a whole.”
On their agenda for the remainder of the school year is a huge trip to Carnegie Hall in New York for Golden Valley’s Women’s Choir. While in New York, they will be preforming as well as sight-seeing.
It’ll be exciting watching what the two show choirs as well as the other choirs end up accomplishing this year and the coming year.
- Charisse B. Atherley and Daniel Patino
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