By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Claire Li During these difficult and isolating times, it is often hard to find hope and maintain a positive outlook. Aiming to promote a sense of hope throughout their community, Arcadia Unified School District’s (AUSD) Digital Communications Internship (DCI) students hosted a Poetry Contest centered around the theme of “hope."
The idea to create a district-wide poetry contest for the Keepin’ it Arcadia student podcast created by DCI first came about during a weekly DCI meeting back in March. Sofia Nagy, a junior at Arcadia High School who helped lead the construction of the Poetry Contest, mentioned, “The idea of a poetry contest was the fruit of collective creativity. I brought poetry into the conversation, then DCI transformed it into a possible and fun project to do, and it happened.” Nagy added, “This district-wide poetry contest really was an outcome of two things: the first one being the confusing, panic-inducing, and overwhelming news about COVID-19, and the second one being that, during an online DCI meeting, I mentioned that poetry is one of my favorite things I’ve been doing while staying at home.”
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Arcadia Unified Students Attend USC Annenberg Youth Academy: Learning the Future of Journalism5/19/2020 By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Bethany Chow “I knew I wanted to pursue something I was already interested in: journalism and communications. I thought the University of Southern California Annenberg Youth Academy was an incredible opportunity that I had to take advantage of,” said Sandi Khine, Arcadia High School (AHS) senior and Student Manager of the Arcadia Unified School District Digital Communications Internship (DCI). She attended the USC Annenberg Youth Academy, a prestigious four-week intensive summer program for 26 students from high schools in the Los Angeles area. Khine is one of many AHS student interns in DCI that have been accepted into and attended the USC Annenberg Youth Academy. In the Annenberg Youth Academy, students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of and practice media communications and journalism. Despite the difference of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds between the 26 students from all different schools, they also get to find “solace in the things [they] have in common, and realize that they are all teens with dreams,” Khine said.
The Annenberg Youth Academy is the equivalent of several first-year college courses, and as Sofia Nagy, another AHS student in DCI who attended the program in the summer of 2019, said, “The teachers teach you everything they know which is really amazing.” The knowledge gained from this program isn’t the only pro about it. Nagy added, “You get to know the dean [Dean Willow Bay] and get so many other connections.” In addition to teaching, the Annenberg Youth Academy also typically includes three field trips, including visits to the Japanese American National Museum, a Dodgers game, and the California African American Museum to get hands-on experience in multimedia journalism. Brandon Chen, AHS student and DCI intern, who attended Annenberg Youth Academy in 2018, says, “Being led by USC’s world-class professors and being at the cutting edge of media and communications at Annenberg’s studio is an experience I’ll never forget.” By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Claire Li Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) alum Xiaoke Ying had placed third in her quarterfinals match up but earned a score of $12,800 which qualified her as a wildcard in the semifinal round; she was trailing at third place going into the last segment of her semifinal round, yet ultimately went on to secure her spot as a finalist in the ‘Jeopardy!’ College Championship. Currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California (USC) majoring in the business of cinematic arts, Ying placed third in the ‘Jeopardy’ College Championship winning $25,000.
By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Sofía Nagy “I had parents who had no idea that I could obtain the opportunity to go to college,” said Instructor Perlita Guzmán. “And when I became a parent, I knew that I definitely wanted my kids to go to college, like nearly every other parent wishes for their own kids. I love doing the Latino Literacy program because I can help parents get the resources that they need to help their kids be successful.” Nearly seven years ago, the Latino Literacy program in the Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) at the elementary school level was started by Alejandra Worozaken (AUSD Instructional Coach), Catherine Merel (AUSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction) and Andrea Mendoza (AUSD TK-12 Integration Coordinator). However, about four years ago, the program expanded to the middle school level. At this level, Guzmán has been working hard since then to get Latino families, from not only First Avenue Middle School, but Dana Middle School and Foothills Middle School as well, to meet weekly for six weeks. All families have the opportunity to interactively learn from various speakers and specialists about topics such as the college admissions process, high school, trending topics about today's youth, and life experiences in general. Looking Back: Inside the Disneyland Holiday Special Featuring the Arcadia High Band and Color Guard12/17/2019 By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Kate Fletcher The Arcadia High School Color Guard waits to perform in the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (Photo courtesy of the Arcadia Music Club)
As the season abruptly ends for all high school performing arts groups, it’s important to celebrate some of the amazing things our students have done throughout the year. One of the most memorable is the Arcadia High School Band and Color Guard’s appearance in the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade. The Apaches were the sole marching band to appear in the ABC television program and did so alongside dazzling floats, Disney Princesses, and Grammy award-winning artists. By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Kate Fletcher ARCADIA-- Bright red flags swirling high in the air can be spotted down Arcadia’s Louise Avenue as the Dana Middle School Drill Team prepared for its competitive season with a fresh face on the lead: new Drill Team director, Joseph Kidd. Kidd trains the Dana Mariners with the same approach and passion as he does Arcadia High School’s nationally recognized Color Guard team, which recently took home 2nd place medals at the Southern California Color Guard Championships this past April. By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern George Win Arcadia High students find creative ways to start conversations about their clubs.
ARCADIA-- Arcadia High School celebrates the diversity of its students’ interests and passions each year through its annual “Club Day.” An event that involves a showcase of the more than 60 Arcadia High clubs on campus, students from all grade levels are given the opportunity to find other students with similar interests, make new friendships, develop new skills, and find new outlets with which to spend their time doing something they enjoy. What has historically taken place during a single lunch period in the Arcadia High Rally Court, Arcadia High’s Club Day now spans the course of two consecutive days’ lunch periods due to its ever-increasing club choices. “Clubs offer so much if you invest just a little bit of your time and energy,” said Arcadia High’s Habitat for Humanity Vice President Sydney Chang. “For example, they offer leadership, community service, public speaking, and interaction opportunities.” Chang further expressed that Club Day opens up many possibilities and opportunities because it is the first step in getting more involved with the people around you. Arcadia Unified Staff Welcomed Onto the Field for the Annual Staff Appreciation Night Football Game9/28/2019 By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Leila Nunez The Arcadia High School football stadium was flooded with spirit for the annual “Staff Appreciation Night” hosted by the Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) on October 11. Joined by family and friends, the educators, administrators, and staff from all Arcadia schools walked down onto the field as they were celebrated for their hard work and devotion to their students. Arcadia High School junior Joel Lee described his relationship with a teacher as “impactful because he has so much knowledge about everything that happens in the world.” Lee goes on to say, “He gives me a lot of advice with how to do better, not only with my studies but also in life.”
At the start of the evening, the staff members enjoyed an all-school tailgate at Arcadia High School where they were given special sideline passes granting them the best view of the night’s upcoming football game. Volunteers set up multiple booths that included photos, food, face painting, and raffle tickets for the guests to visit! Entertaining games of bean bag toss and giant Jenga were played by families and friends as they waited to head onto the field. By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Interns Sofía Nagy and Bethany Chow Nearly 4.000 Arcadia High students and Arcadia Unified staff gathered at Salter Stadium for Arcadia High’s annual all-school assembly, which takes place annually on September 11. As in years past, members of the Arcadia Educational Foundation and Board of Education, the Mayor of Arcadia, and representatives from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Arcadia Fire Department, and Arcadia Police Department also joined in this annual tribute assembly, which is also the only time each school year that an all-school assembly is held . A moment of silence was observed, and the silence was deafening. Not one of the thousands in attendance made a sound, each standing in quiet solemnity and remembrance of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and in honor of the innocent lives claimed that day and the bravery of the nation’s first-responders. Followed with further shows of patriotism, in addition to a performance of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes by an Arcadia High student musician, the silence was relieved by the soothing voices of the AHS Chanteurs, who sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Arcadia High Associated Student Body (ASB) president Braden Wong provided an eloquent speech with a message centered on a Dr. Seuss quote: “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” He tied this in with the day’s significance by including the story of a 9/11 first-responder. “Keith Roma made the decision to go to the North tower not once, not twice, but four times to save lives,” said Wong. “On that day, one man and thousands of other first responders became the world for tens of thousands of people.” By Arcadia Unified Digital Communications Intern Sarah Wang As an Asian-American, I assumed that I was forever bound to the hyphen. I learned from a young age what it really meant. It was defined by the time I replaced traditional Chinese toys with American Girl Dolls or the time asked my father for PB&J sandwiches instead of dumplings and kimchi. The moment I lost pride in being Asian-American is when I realized the hyphen does not make me whole or connect my identities; it asks me to choose between them.
I am fortunate in the fact that I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, where the population of Asian-American residents has reached over half a million. Although my younger adolescence was composed of struggling to assimilate Western culture with that of my Chinese background, I found a safe haven at Arcadia High School. By AUSD Digital Communications Intern Sofia Nagy Hurra a los Hispanos (“Hurray Hispanics!”)! At Arcadia High School (AHS), the Hispanic Parents Booster Club (HPBC) has made a sensational resurgence after years of being under the radar. This 2018-2019 school year, the Arcadia High HPBC has the greatest number of members involved than its prior years and is on its way to its strongest year yet.
“The HPBC's goal is to assist parents as they support their children in school and their education and to develop a community among families,” said AHS Assistant Principal John Finn, who is a distinguished collaborator of the club and a guest speaker during meetings. The HPBC currently consists of leaders Monica Carrasco (President), Paty Garcini (Vice-President), Sandra Sevilla (Public Relations), Monica Bayona (Treasurer), and Damaris Rangel (Secretary), all of whom are collectively backed by the active participation of all of the booster club’s constituents and supporters. By AUSD Digital Communications Intern Jasmine Oang (Apaches Rachelle Yang, Jeffrey Castillo, and Lauren Ko are headed to top university sports programs) ARCADIA-- Five Arcadia High student-athletes have signed to play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Seniors Ayala Plummer, Haley Kennedy, Jeffrey Castillo, Lauren Ko, and Rachelle Yang ended 2018 with commitments to continuing their academics and sports careers at top schools in NCAA Divisions 1 and 2.
By Arcadia Unified School District Digital Communications Intern Brandon Chen When one thinks of a school district, a robust social media presence does not come to mind; however, that is not the case of Arcadia Unified. Boasting over 6,000 Facebook followers, 4,000 Instagram followers, and 3,000 Twitter followers, Arcadia Unified and the Public Information Office strive to keep the community informed. In the heart of Arcadia High School’s Media Center lies an integral part of Arcadia Unified’s Public Information Office: The Arcadia Unified School District Digital Communications Internship. Consisting of 25 driven high school interns, the Digital Communications Internship (DCI) covers school and district-wide events, helps manage the district’s social media, and produces student-made content in the forms of videos, podcasts, and articles for the community to enjoy.
“DCI was created almost four years ago to help the Public Information Office communicate with the community and our parents, staff, and students, and to really increase the positive stories that we were able to produce and put out to the community,” said Chief Communications Officer Ryan Foran. “When it was just myself a few years ago, there were all these amazing stories that I couldn’t get to because it was just me, so I looked into creating an internship program. Now, the amount of stories that we are able to produce as a school district and the communications that we are able to get out have increased dramatically thanks to the amazing work by the students.” By AUSD Digital Communications Intern Sarah Wang Arcadia Stage performers portraying their respective characters. (Photo courtesy of Arcadia Stage) All 1,163 seats in the Arcadia Performing Arts Center (PAC) were completely filled for the second performance of Arcadia High School’s fall production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Surrounded by a sea of theater-goers, children, parents, students, and faculty were spotted with tickets in hand, eagerly waiting in line to see the much-anticipated show. As the doors of the PAC opened, theater seats were filled and nostalgia permeated the air for many. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory marks the first play of the year for Arcadia Stage, Arcadia High School’s theater program. It follows the story of a young boy growing up in poverty who is given the opportunity of a lifetime. Alison Wright, a junior at Arcadia High School and member of the Advanced Theater program, said, “This play was chosen mainly because it explores the themes of family and positivity. Especially since it is almost the holiday season, we thought it would be a great transition before Thanksgiving and Christmas.” By AUSD Digital Communications Intern Sofia Nagy Arrange the props, ovation on cue, and curtains go up! The First Avenue Middle School (First Avenue) Production class of 2019 has been preparing the whole semester for its upcoming play, “Out Of This World,” taking off this December 6 and 7 at 7 pm in the First Avenue auditorium!
First Avenue theater teacher, Susi Reck is not only the play’s director but plays an integral role in inspiring aspiring actors through teaching courses on the art of acting to First in grades 6 through 8 whose passions are to express themselves on the stage. |
DCI Interns on the news writing team publish articles that are often published on local newspapers, such as Arcadia Patch and the Arcadia Weekly. The articles, ranging in subject, dive into the AUSD world and cover events, opportunities, news, and first-hand accounts of unique stories in the community.
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