March 19, 2009

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Almaden Country School students win artwork awards

Almaden Country School had a handful of creative students win awards in the sixth annual Marine Masterpieces Student Art Contest and Exhibition by the Seymour Marine Lab in Santa Cruz.

“Every child is an artist. They just need the time and space to create,” said Sharon Wilkus, Almaden Country School’s art instructor. “I believe it is this gift of time with specialty teachers in the enrichment classes here at ACS that helps the students to bring out their best qualities and produce their optimum works of art.”

Young artists from Almaden Country School submitted marine artworks that were judged by a panel of five judges. Third grade winners included Cathryn Nye who won second place for Hiding Rock Fish and Julia Peterson who won third place for The Wonder of Whales. Honorable mentions went to third graders Clarissa Peterson for Shorebirds Playing Wave Tag; Julianna Rozario for Seals in the Sunset and Henrik Larsen for Kelpfish in the Kelp. The science illustration award went to third grader Sindhu Bijj for Dolphins Playing in Monterey Bay.

Fifth grade winners included Matt Hunt with a first place for Octopus and honorable mentions to Erin Weiner for Sea Dragon and Josh Vincent for Monterey Sea Life.

“We are proud of Mrs. Wilkus and her student artists in their latest contest success,” said Olaf Jorgenson, Almaden Country School’s head of school. “These accomplishments reflect our emphasis on the importance of art education, and of the vital role played by enrichments like art, drama, world languages, music and P.E. in shaping well-rounded, happy children.”

An awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 4 at the Seymour Center. The artwork will remain on display through May 24 as Seymour Center celebrates the sixth year of this annual art contest.

Individuals and groups of students were invited to create a “marine masterpiece” that would “communicate a message about marine life/science, ocean conservation, or marine scientists.” Individual winners were selected in each of five categories: K-first grade, second-third grade, fourth-fifth grade, sixth through eighth and ninth through 12th grade. Winners were also selected from a separate category for group artwork.

A total of 304 artists produced 200 pieces that were judged by a panel of five judges. First-place winners will receive one-year student memberships to the Seymour Center, while their teachers will receive a voucher for $100 toward a class field trip to the center. Other prizes include T-shirts, books and ocean themed gifts from the Seymour Center’s Ocean Discovery Shop.

Almaden Valley Women's Club seeks scholarship applicants

The Almaden Valley Women's Club (AVWC) installed its 2009 Executive Board in January. The new board members bring a vast array of entrepreneurial and fund-raising expertise to the organization. Its major goals are to promote student service, leadership and academic achievement through scholarships funded through the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.

The Almaden Valley Women's Club 2009 board includes, pictured from top left clockwise, Kathy Reinig, VP Programs; Kim Moore, treasurer; Tammie Peters, VP Membership; Lauren Wilson, parliamentarian; Kelly Dippel, VP Fundraising; Jenny Teixeira, president and Shar Quinn, secretary.

The scholarships recognize high school students for outstanding leadership in their schools and community. The AVWC has several scholarships to distribute to students who qualify this year.

Awards are open to graduating high school seniors who will attend an accredited two or four-year college or university as a first-time freshman in the fall of 2009. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and reside in the 95120 zip code. Winners will be selected based on outstanding leadership and academic performances as well as, school activities, letters of recommendation and a personal essay.

Applications must be received before April 17. They are available on the club's Web site www.almadenwine.com. Students should mail completed application packets to the Almaden Valley Women's Club, Attn: Scholarship Chair, P.O. Box 20084, San Jose, CA 95120.

The purpose of the Almaden Valley Women's Club is to stimulate interest in the social, civic and cultural community of the Almaden Valley. Its members are committed to serving the needs of the community, as well as, those of the greater San Jose Area. The AVWC, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, was organized in 1965 and has helped many organizations over the past 33 years, including the Diabetes Society, Loaves and Fishes, Special Olympics, Emergency Housing and Almaden Valley Counseling Services.

The Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival is the club's principle fundraiser. All proceeds from this event are given back to the community in the form of scholarships, grants to non-profit organizations, educational facilities and the community.

AVWC members participate in the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, attend monthly meetings and make new friends.

If you are interested in joining the club, contact Tammie Peters at: membership@almadenwomen.com or visit: www.almadenwomen.com to apply. To learn more about the festival visit: www.almadenwine.com.

TheatreWorks tours local schools with ‘Oskar and the Big Bully Battle’

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theater of Silicon Valley, unveils a new play that employs humor and imagination to tackle the tough topic of bullying, that will tour schools throughout the Bay area.

“Oskar and the Big Bully Battle,” written by Los Angeles-based playwright Prince Gomovilas, and a sequel to TheatreWorks’ previous popular school touring production, “Oskar: The Kid That Could,” aims to help students identify and prevent bullying behaviors.

In “Oskar and the Big Bully Battle,” which was developed in collaboration with school district officials and input from educators, a minor schoolyard mishap spirals out of control and three students—Oskar, Frank and Beth—become embroiled in a tale about bullies, victims and bystanders. The performance helps students identify and understand these roles, and encourages students not only to avoid bullying, but to speak up when they observe these behaviors in others.

The show was created as part of a community collaborative effort that coincides with on-going efforts by Palo Alto United School District administrators to develop a comprehensive policy on bullying issues. A recent survey by the Palo Alto Drug and Alcohol Community Collaborative showed that one third of all Middle Schools students in Palo Alto say that they have been bullied. At the same time, recent concerns have been raised about social cruelty on-line among some high school students.

According to TheatreWorks director of Education and Community Engagement ,Mary Sutton, “We are fortunate to have had the input and support of educators from the Palo Alto Unified School District in developing this new play and the accompanying Teacher Guide. The guide is filled with valuable resources to help teachers and students deal with the issue through drama and classroom exercises. We are confident that this experience will help students adjust behavior within the classroom, on the playground, and in other aspects of their lives.

TheatreWorks’ “Oskar and the Big Bully Battle” will receive its debuted at a free event on March 16. Through 60 in-school assemblies elementary students will see this original new play, performed by professional actors throughout the region this spring. The play will be presented March 19 at Blackford School, March 23 at Oster School, March 25 at Booksin School and March 27 at Queen of Apostles School.

TheatreWorks is an Equity/LORT theatre, producing eight shows annually with an $8 million budget. With nearly 10,000 subscribers and over 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity. In addition to presenting sterling productions of classics, the company often brings Bay area theatergoers their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas.

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