Written By: Jaidan Slowik, Staff Writer
ARTS: Let’s take a look at the recent recruitment field trip held to encourage involvement in the arts for future Poly students.
Let’s go Bears!
As per tradition, this year our visual and performing arts organizations visited and performed for a few junior high students on our VAPA recruitment trip. A small selection of students from both Matthew Gage Middle School and Central Middle School were invited to watch the performances. The purpose of this trip is to make sure that students interested in the arts are informed about all of the many, many options they’ll have when they sign up for their high school classes. As of right now, both middle schools have orchestra but Gage has no band, choir, or theatre electives. Central has only one Theatre arts class. To keep our VAPA programs going strong and share a love for the arts with the next generation. It falls to Poly students to take on the responsibility of recruiting future bears!
Poly VAPA Students Find Community With One Another
To encourage active participation for these future High School students, Poly teachers introduced each performance with great enthusiasm and described all of the benefits and bonuses of joining. Students in Band and Show Choir can earn P.E. credits without having to run the mile. Orchestra does not require experience and can be taken as a zero period. All of these amazing groups perform in all types of locations; Football games, parades, college campuses’ and Disney California Adventure Park! Along with travel opportunities, all have a similar sense of community among the students involved. Students have found lifelong friends in their VAPA elective classes. It is a space where like-minded students can come together to take part in hobbies or interests that they enjoy.
The assembly included Poly Band and Colorguard performing “Fight Song” as well as “Louie Louie” quite impressively. Poly Orchestra celebrated the holidays with “A Christmas Carol” and “Sleigh Ride.” Show Choir performed “Little Saint Nick” while both Bella Voce and Chamber Singers sang “Sleigh Ride.” The assembly was wrapped up with a brief scene from our fall show, Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” by our very own Theatre department. The middle schoolers seemed excited to become part of this community. We look forward to seeing more from all of our amazing VAPA classes and for welcoming the future class of 2029.