State of the Art

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poem, “Sharkskin Heart,” was accepted into the 2020 issue of Apprentice Writer. This annual publication by Writers Institute of Susquehanna University features writing and art by high school students throughout the United States.

Camille Echeverri (VA, '22) designed the cover art and internal illustrations for a new homeschool curriculum, "Earth Party! An Early Introduction to the Linnaean System of Classification of Living Things Unit Study," for students in grades 1-6.

Simon Harrison, Dance Instructor and Assistant to the Chair of Dance, completed his graduate studies through Middlesex University London and now holds a Master of Arts in Professional Practice, Dance Technique Pedagogy.

Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21) was chosen as a finalist in the New York Times Coming of Age in 2020 contest. This nationwide contest received more than 5,500 entries from teenagers documenting how the events of the past tumultuous year have affected them in words, images, audio, or video. Olivia’s work reflected on her experience with the Bobcat fires and how it inspired connection with her Southeast Asian heritage.

Alvin Wang (VA, ‘24) was selected as one of the finalists in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) “Live-Study” Space Contest.

Congratulations to the following students for their success in the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. These students received Regional-at-Large awards. Gold Key recipients will now be judged at the national level.

Gold Key Award:
Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21): Digital Art, In Memorium; Poetry, sharkskin heart
Dimitri Lin (CW, ‘21): Poetry, On The Duties of the Young

Silver Key Award:
Addison Gagnier (VA, ‘22): Photography, Camcorder Vision; Digital Art, Ghost People
Kirsten Gaila (VA, ‘21): Digital Art, Apocalyptic, Hazy, Ocean
Alyssa S. Ho (CW, ‘22): Journalism, A High School Student’s Different Approach to Educating the Public About COVID-19; Poetry, An Ode to Right Now
Claire Knobler-Mann (CW, ‘25): Short Story, Deceitful Benevolence
Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21): Digital Art, Free on a Sunday
Dimitri Lin (CW, ‘21): Poetry, Eden, The Law Of Place, Fiddler

Honorable Mention:
Alyssa S. Ho (CW, ‘22): Humor, How to Serve 30 High School Students; Journalism, The Value of Unique Perspectives for Healthcare
Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21): Short Story, These Women All Like Gossamer; Poetry, blood and silk and oranges, cabin 119; Digital Art, Only You, Girl Dreaming
Dimitri Lin (CW, ‘21): Poetry, Brat Cetnicke Artiljerije, Even-Handedness, Interlude of Kolyma

Case Keough (IM, ‘23) received state honors from the Music Teachers Association of California Certificate of Merit Program. Participating in the Piano Advanced Level, he was also chosen as a Panel Finalist for 2021.

The following students were recognized as semifinalists in The Music Center’s 33rd Annual Spotlight Program. Spotlight is a nationally acclaimed arts training and scholarship program for teens that awards more than $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. Semifinalists have the opportunity to attend a special master class in their discipline with highly regarded artists who share their expertise on performance technique, training, and professional life. Each semifinalist will audition virtually once more, and the top two finalist performers in each category will be selected for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists.

Christian Dorey (MT, ‘21): Non-Classical Voice
Jessie Franks (ACT, ‘21): Acting
Lillie Owers (MT, ‘21): Non-Classical Voice
Cielo Valenzuela-Lara (IA, ‘23): Acting

Danielle Alhuay (IM, ‘21) was selected as a 2021 Dragon Kim Fellow and earned a $5,000 community service grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation. She was chosen from over 240 applicants across California and Nevada and went through a rigorous interview process to earn this fellowship.

At the nomination of California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley, the Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) Board of Education received the 2020 Governing/Support Board Award from the prestigious Arts Schools Network. This award recognizes the DUSD Board of Education for its emphasis on the value and importance the arts play in the education of young people, including its support of CSArts-SGV, as well as the creation of a comprehensive dance and movement class for students in grades TK-8.

Cielo Valenzuela-Lara (IA, '22) was selected to join the Get Lit Players, an award-winning youth poetry troupe coached by the nonprofit organization Get Lit - Words Ignite.

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poem, “Sharkskin Heart,” which was published in Blue Marble Review, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series is the most honored literary project in America and has been published every year since 1976.

The following students were recognized as 2021 YoungArts Winners by the National YoungArts Foundation for their artistic achievements. Recipients are invited to participate in one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States, in which they receive opportunities for financial, creative, and professional development support throughout their careers.

Madeline Kimmel (MT, '22) – Merit Winner, Theater
Cielo Valenzuela-Lara (IA, '22) – Merit Winner, Writing (Spoken Word)

Warren Maness (MT, '22) was selected to be a part of Center Theatre Group’s Teen Theatregoers program. The program provides access to a diverse selection of virtual performances, free and first-time access to Center Theatre Group’s special digital stage events, narrative theater game apps, play readings with artists, and exclusive plays from theater archives. Teen participants will define what it means to be a virtual audience member, attend informative discussions with other teens and theater professionals, and expand their knowledge of the theater industry.

Isaac Tragarz (ACT, '21) won the Kimberly Dawn Ellis Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior from the San Gabriel Valley who demonstrates achievement in academics, Jewish community involvement, community service, extracurricular activities, and leadership.

Alvin Wang's (VA, '24) artwork was selected to be published in the national anthology Celebrating Art.

The following students participated onstage and backstage in Centre Stage's workshop performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The COVID-compliant performance was split over two casts in a socially distanced, open black box theatre setting.

Tessa Barkley (IA, '23) - Rona Lisa Peretti
Nicole Gallivan (MT, '23) - Donna Panch
Ava Holguin (MT, '22) - Olive Ostrovsky
Hannah Khoury (MT, '22) - Olive Ostrovsky
Samantha Rily (IA, '24) - Marcey Park
Michael Tovar (PD, '23) - Lighting Board Operator

Melia Leilani Widjaja (VA, '22) painted different landmarks from around the world to adorn the walls of the Living Way Daycare Center with the goal of beautifying the center, inspiring the kids' creativity, and building awareness of diversity. Originally planned as a mural, Melia modified the project to canvas paintings due to the current circumstances.

Keona Huang (IA, '22) has been selected as a finalist in this year’s SC Johnson Professional Happy Hands contest, which promotes the importance of handwashing in schools by encouraging K-12 students to use their creative skills and imagination to design a custom soap/sanitizer dispenser.