You could say the relatively easy match for the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team came when it hammered visiting Santa Monica 25-18, 29-27, 25-12 in a CIF Southern Section Division I opening-round clash on Tuesday.
Now the hard part comes when the Indians, who have captured the Pacific League title nine straight seasons and were the regional state champions in 2016, have to face Loyola in the second round on Thursday.
Senior outside hitter Diego Rosal, shown in a recent match with Burbank, had nine kills in a CIF opening-round sweep of Santa Monica. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
“It was huge. We didn’t play our best,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said of the middle set. “The season now boils down to winning three sets.”
The second game could have swung either way after being knotted 15 times including 23-23 on a kill from sophomore middle blocker Connor Burroughs.
At this point, each team had difficulty getting its serve over the net as it became 25-25 when Santa Monica’s Ryan Logan’s serve found the net and 27-27 on Burroughs senior outside hitter Diego Rosal’s service miscue.
“We were fortunate tonight. We’re going to have to play our best match,” Brinton said of this encounter which will likely be much easier than facing the Cubs.
In the end, the Indians took command on a tapper from senior opposite hitter Cole Kaitz that made it 28-27.
When Kaitz (match-best 18 kills) delivered a spike, Burroughs (19-8 and 12-0 in league) led two games to none.
The Indians, including Cole Kaitz (#32), Sam Tipton (#1) and Jose Solano, shown in a win at Burbank, played well against the Vikings. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
The Indians evened the second game at 3-3 on a bullet from junior outside hitter Michael Rumfola and 8-8 on Burroughs’ blast.
Santa Monica’s Ryan Rooke leveled it 14-14 with a kill and it was deadlocked at 18-18 on Kaitz’s winner.
Though the match-clinching set was tight in the early stages after being tied 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6, a winner from Rosal (nine kills) made it 7-6.
Junior libero Sam Tipton, who contributed 10 digs, then served three straight aces to make it 10-6.
What followed was a 5-3 mini-blitz that pushed the advantage to 15-9 and included a tapper from Kaitz.
When Kaitz served an ace, the Indians’ lead swelled to 19-11 which prompted the Vikings (15-10-2) to call for time.
The Indians went on another patented run, this time 6-1 that included Kaitz’s dagger for a 20-12 edge and a block from Burroughs that made it 22-12. The next three points came on Viking hitting errors.
Brinton said that the expectations are high, but that’s a good thing. “Now it’s on them to continue that,” he said of the current squad. “I hope these guys like being the hunted during league. The pressure’s on them [Loyola]. Let’s see if they [Burroughs] can do it.”
The initial game saw the Vikings jump off to a 4-2 lead when George Felstiner tossed in a kill, but the Indians tied it at 6-6 on an ace from freshman outside hitter Kade McGovern.
Felstiner’s dagger evened it at 11-11 and 12-12, only to see the Indians pull ahead 18-16 on Kaitz’s bomb.
When Kaitz added a kill the Indians trotted ahead 21-16 and then led 23-18 on Rosal’s winner and 24-18 on another rocket from Rosal.
Senior outside hitter/opposite hitter Azael Estrada’s winner gave the Indians the set.
For good measure, senior setter Jose Solano added a match-best 28 assists for the Indians.
On Friday, May 4, a man and a woman were arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department after they went inside a U.S. Bank located in the 10100 block of Riverside Dr. in North Hollywood.
Both suspects are believed to be responsible for a spree of bank robberies throughout Southern California that took place over the past two months.
On April 20 at 3:40 p.m., U.S. Bank at 1720 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank was robbed after a man delivered a note to a bank teller asking for money. A witness in the bank tried to detain the man, but was unable. The suspect was armed with a pellet gun resembling a real handgun, which he left at the scene.
On April 30 at 2:15 p.m., the same man robbed U.S. Bank located at 240 N. San Fernando Blvd. using a similar note.
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Courtesy of Burbank Police Department
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Courtesy of Burbank Police Department
Burbank Police investigating both robberies met with law enforcement agencies and learned the same suspect was connected to robberies that took place in Newhall, Valencia, Pico Rivera, Orange County, and an attempted bank robbery in Van Nuys.
Evidence collected in the first Burbank bank robbery helped police identify the suspect as James Hamill, 27 of Valencia. BPD also identified an accomplice, who is believed to have been his getaway driver in at least one of the robberies. She has been identified as Samantha Yaworski, 22 of Valencia.
On May 2, arrest warrants were issued for both suspects.
On May 7, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed six counts of robbery in addition to two counts of attempted robbery against Hamill, with one count of attempted robbery against Yaworski.
Currently, Hamill is in custody, held on $400,000 bail. Yaworski is also in custody on $50,000 bail.
The Burroughs High boys’ volleyball program has much to be proud of.
The Indians captured their ninth consecutive Pacific League title and advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs for a second consecutive season.
But like last season, the Indians’ season ended against one of the elite programs in the nation as Loyola of Los Angeles swept Burroughs 25-16, 25-17, 25-20 Thursday evening.
Burroughs was eliminated from the playoffs by Huntington Beach High last year.
Burroughs coach Joel Brinton drew the praise of Loyola coach Michael Boehle, who has won six CIF Southern Section titles and four Southern California Regional titles in his coaching career.
“These guys play hard all the way throughout. I give him credit for that and their staff. They are a class act,” Boehle said of Brinton. “We’ve been here and have the experience. Are we as big and as strong as we’ve been in the past, no? We’re still Loyola and it still freaks some people out sometimes and we’ll take advantage of it if we need to. I thought they fought and we were just a little bit better.”
Loyola (23-2), which features Burbank resident and former St. Francis Xavier student Chris Mai, was never threatened.
“They had a handful of passes where they had three options to set,” Brinton said. “If you win the passing game, you win 70 percent of your matches. They passed better than we did; they served better than we did.”
Burroughs (19-9) was led by senior Cole Kaitz, who finished with 10 kills.
“We’ve been wanting to play a top-level Division 1 team all season,” said Kaitz, who is considering walking on at Cal State Northridge. “We finally got what we wanted and we knew it was going to be a battle. It didn’t out the way we wanted, but it was still a great experience. I’m glad I got to play them.”
Burroughs also received six kills from Diego Rosal, who plans to walk on at Pepperdine. Jose Solano had 18 assists and Sam Tipton had 10 digs.
Loyola was led by sophomore Luke Turner, who had 11 kills. Matt Johnson and Wyatt Lewis each had eight kills for the Cubs. Sophomore setter Henry Wedbush had 22 assists and Andrew Bagnard added 12 assists.
“The guys gave it their best shot. Our kids start playing volleyball in ninth grade,” he said. “I’m really proud of the group. They showed up and kept working every day.”
Students and their families, staff and members of the Burbank community celebrated the annual McKinley Community Day at William McKinley Elementary School on Saturday, May 5. The theme for the event was kindness.
McKinley highlighted all the things our students do to be kind to our community,” explained Principal Liz Costella. “Our community presenters brought examples or activities to reflect how they are ‘kind to the community.'”
Special guests included City Councilmember Sharon Springer, Victoria Dochoghlin (a representative from Assembly member Laura Friedman’s office), School Board member Char Tabet, McKinley graduate and local businessman Michael Cusumano and District staff including Anita Schackmann, director of Human Resources for Burbank Unified School District.
The Cusumano Real Estate Group provided dinner for all families and attendees from Habit Burger.
“The saying that it takes a village to raise a child comes across loudly each year at the community fair,” commented McKinley parent Karen Bowlin, who has a first- and second-grader at the school. “As a parent, seeing not only the incredible work inside the classrooms that the teachers have put together with their students, but also hearing about what the PTA, the Booster Club, the YMCA, the Dental Clinic and all of the other incredible resources found in our community reminds me of the support families find in Burbank.”
“At the end of the day, we are so lucky to have a place like McKinley Elementary that brings together all of skill sets found in our city and reminds us that we all work towards a common goal of enrichment and support.”
Burbank Parks and Rec and Stough Canyon Nature Center, Boys and Girls Club, BTAC, the Burbank Public Library, Gordon Howard Museum, burbank Senior Apartments, Family Promise of the Verdugos, the Burbank Police and Fire Departments, Burbank Educational Foundation, Family Service Agency, BUSD Wellness Center, Burbank Arts For All Foundation, Burbank Animal Shelter, Burbank Recycle Center, Burbank TMO, Education Through Music – LA and the Jordan Middle School jazz band all contributed to McKinley Community Day.
“Our open house and community fair is one of my favorite events of the year,” added Costella. “Our students and teachers are so proud to show their progress and success from this school year.”
“I love seeing our community together and being able to work with incredible organizations that support our school and the community of Burbank daily. It was a wonderful night to celebrate McKinley and all those that make it great.”
The David Starr Jordan Middle School Vocal Music Association presented their Spring concert, “Make A Brighter Day,” on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9, in the school auditorium. Approximately 300 students in the Jordan VMA choirs, stage and music classes put on the show to nearly sold-out audiences both nights.
Directed by vocal music teacher Christine DeMore, the award-winning choirs – Clefhangers (boys), Treblemakers (beginning girls), Cantabile (intermediate girls) and Madrigals (advanced mixed show choir) – presented both classical and show sets. A capella group Vocal Ensemble also performed.
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Jordan Madrigals choir perform their classical set. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Dance Ensemble, directed by Amanda Richardson, put on a fun performance, dancing to a medley of songs including “Paint It Black,” “Drill” and “Grace Kelly.” Richardson and Dominc Matas choreograph the choirs’ show sets.
Students in the sixth-grade Wheel class, Introduction to Music, played hand bells for their two-song set.
Eighth-graders Julia Cronin, Joseph Stull and Eyén Paredes performed a cover of the Amy Winehouse song, “Valerie,” featuring three-part harmonies arranged by Paredes, who also recorded and mixed all the instruments on the backing track. Paredes also performed an arrangement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” for the program.
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Jordan’s Dance Ensemble. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Jordan Principal Stacy Cashman was honored for her dedication to the school over the past seven years, as she moves on to a new role at the District office as Director of Student Services.
Outgoing Jordan VMA President Rachel Levine and Treasurer Janet Berlin were recognized, along with current Communications Director, Erin Kelly-Park.
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Jordan Madrigals perform their show set. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Jordan Stage Crew, an elective class taught by DeMore, provided all the technical support and production including lighting, sound and backstage management. Comprised of mainly seventh- and eighth-graders, Stage Crew put on the entire production without adult assistance.
All the choirs combined for a touching goodbye encore of “We Are The World.”
A two-run first inning by the Burroughs High softball team was met with full backing by the home crowd at Olive Park on Thursday night.
Slowly but surely, Burbank chipped away at the lead, eventually evened it and in the top of the eighth scored the go-ahead and winning run as the Bulldogs earned a 4-3 victory in the Pacific League regular-season finale.
Alex Davis led off the frame with a single to right field. Up stepped senior Anysia Gonzalez, who dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt that advanced Davis to second base.
But the bunt hit the ground hard and caromed high into the air. Seeing this, the very speedy Davis pulled into third base.
Hannah Talavera’s two-run homer came in the first inning, but the Indians lost 4-3 to the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
Junior Desi Gomez, who singled up the middle with one out in the second, was the next batter and promptly grounded to second base which plated Davis to make it 4-3.
“I’m just lucky that I did this today,” said Davis, a junior of the winning run. “I noticed that they weren’t covering third and I wanted to take advantage of the mistakes and it ended up working.”
In the home half of the inning and facing junior Alyssa Porras, who surrendered 11 hits with a hit batter and two strikeouts across eight frames, senior Nikki Ricciardella popped up to shortstop.
Sophomore Memorie Munoz struck out looking, but junior Kaitlin Escamilla was safe on an error.
When senior Hannah Talavera fouled out to shortstop behind the third base bag, the game and victory was sealed.
Burroughs senior Presley Miraglia took the 4-3 loss to Burbank. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
Burroughs made it 3-0 with a tally in the fourth as Munoz singled up the middle with one out.
Escamilla then bounced back to Porras as Munoz went to second base.
A wild pitch saw Munoz advance to third base and when Talavera was safe on an error, Munoz scored.
“We just couldn’t come out and pull the trigger,” Burroughs coach Wes Tanigawa said. “We just didn’t do what we needed to do. We had hits early. I don’t know if they got overconfident. Or that Presley was going to shut them down.”
The Bulldogs (16-11 and 10-4 for third place in league) sliced the lead to one run with a two-run fifth as senior Macie Jensen clubbed a two-out, two-run homer that found the right center field gap.
“We’re hitting. Something’s going to fall,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said. “The way we’re hitting, it’s just a matter of time. It’s a good win going in to [the CIF playoffs]. To keep their focus is just phenomenal.”
The Bulldogs managed only six hits off Miraglia, but scored four runs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
Burbank evened it at 3-3 with a run in the sixth as Gonzalez (two hits) bashed a one-out triple to center field.
Delaney was extremely pleased with the quick-thinking Davis.
“We’ve been practicing that over the last few weeks,” Delaney noted of the intelligent base running of Davis. “Just working on being aggressive on the bases. It’s available once a game. It’s just a straight read on her part.”
Gomez then bunted back to Miraglia, and was safe on a fielder’s choice, but when she flipped the ball a little too high for Williams, the catcher, to handle, Gonzalez found the plate and it was level at 3-3.
Miraglia pitched well enough, but was loser after toiling eight innings, allowing six hits with three strikeouts.
The Indians could have scored in the second inning, but didn’t as Munoz was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second base and third base on an error.
Munoz remained there as Talavera popped up to shortstop and Storer lined out to center field.
In the third, Bookmyer led off with a single to left field and Miraglia (three hits) singled to right field, but Amaya bounced into a double play and Williams lined to third base.
In the fifth, Miraglia singled up the middle with one out and junior pinch runner Hannah Skinner went to second base on an error and third base on an infield single by Williams.
When Ricciardella hit into a double play, the inning and threat came to a conclusion.
Junior Amaya Broyls led off the fourth inning for the Bulldogs with a single, and moved to second base on Gonzalez’s one-out base hit.
Neither scored as Davis and Gomez fanned and senior Erin Lashkari flied out to right field.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Metrolink and Hollywood Burbank Airport officials celebrated the completion of a new Metrolink Antelope Valley Line rail station that will connect travelers with the Hollywood Burbank Airport in the San Fernando Valley. The station will officially open to the public on Monday, May 14.
The station should help reduce vehicle trips on the I-5 freeway and roads in the many residential neighborhoods near the airport. Air travelers will be able to seamlessly connect to and from the new station via a free shuttle operated by the Hollywood Burbank Airport. New station amenities will include rail ticket vending machines, benches, bike racks and LED display boards showing arrival and departure times for trains, buses, and planes. A pedestrian sidewalk and transit plaza will be built adjacent to the station platform and San Fernando Boulevard.
“More travelers are coming through our airports than ever before — and we’re giving them new ways to get where they’re going when the plane ride is over,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “This new Metrolink connection will seamlessly link our transportation network with the Hollywood Burbank Airport — while easing congestion in one of our busiest corridors.”
Located on the northwestern corner of Hollywood Way and San Fernando Boulevard between the cities of Burbank and Los Angeles, the new station will also be within walking distance of the planned airport terminal facility that will replace the current terminal, as well as a future proposed mixed-use development.
“Metro and its partners are making good on their promise to improve connections with airports countywide including Burbank, one the nation’s most convenient airports,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, a Metro Board Member.
Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line runs between Los Angeles Union Station, the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster seven days a week. The station is the second to serve Hollywood Burbank Airport. Metrolink’s Ventura County Line also provides a station stop on the other side of the airport with train service on weekdays only.
“The City of Burbank is excited to have another transportation alternative for both our residents and employees who work and reside in our city,” stated Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy. “Additionally, the new station will act as an essential part of our future vision for the Airport/Golden State District.”
“With the opening of the Burbank Airport-North Metrolink Station, passengers from Lancaster to Los Angeles will now be able to connect to Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line,” said Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority President and Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek. “We’re proud to be the only Southern California airport to offer plane-to-train connections at two train stations, including the existing Burbank Airport-South Station, which serves passengers from East Ventura to Union Station on Metrolink’s Ventura County Line and from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.”
“Metro is glad to build and be a major funding partner for this new transit connection to the Hollywood Burbank Airport,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Metro’s transportation transformation will continue to deliver more and better options to many of our important regional destinations.”
“With the new Metrolink Burbank Airport-North Station, there is finally a daily connection to the Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line, one of our fastest growing lines,” said Metrolink CEO Art Leahy. “This new train to plane connection provides an opportunity for people to save time and money spent for parking by taking Metrolink instead.”
Construction of the new station began in March 2017. The project was built by C.A. Rasmussen, INC., of Valencia, California. The $15 million project was delivered on-time and under budget.
One could say that this was the cherry to the ice cream sundae.
Having already had its greatest victory of the season come in the form of the return of coach Bob Hart following a heart attack, the Burbank High baseball team finished its regular season with a 6-3 win over visiting Burroughs Friday night.
“To see them stick together and persevere and have a moment like this, it doesn’t make up for every loss we had but it certainly (helps),” Hart said. “We want to win and you try to win but at the same time, you try to build character. I don’t feel like I’ve fallen short in that area. I can always get better as a coach. I strive to get better, I stay humble. But in terms of the character development that we showed and the camaraderie, I’ll take that to my grave and be very happy. “Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Burbank (8-13 overall, 6-8 in the league) got things started on a solo home run by Davis Mieliwocki in the first inning.
They added a pair of runs in the third inning as Mieliwocki, Matthew Shaugabay, Abiezer Delgado and Ryan King each had a single.
Burroughs (13-15, 7-7) knew before the game that it had clinched fourth place in the league and a CIF playoff berth.
“The bottom line is you have to get in. I made sure all 10 seniors played tonight and they hung in there,” Burroughs coach Craig Sherwood said. “The playoffs are special. Once you are in and experience it and every pitch is important, that’s why you play and that’s why you coach.”
The Indians didn’t score until the fourth inning when a line drive by Revin Diego hit Burbank starter Andrew De La Torre on his throwing arm. He left the game and didn’t return.
Devin Esquivel scored later in the inning on a bases-loaded walk.
Burbank scored three times in the bottom half of the inning, paced by a two-run double from Shaugabay that scored Max Meltzer and Matthew Moreno.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Burroughs rallied with two runs of its own in the fifth inning.
Burbank was able to eventually get things under control as freshman Ryan King pitched a pair of scoreless innings to end the contest.
“You want them to create memories for themselves. It’s meaningful. It has been tough. My own personal adversity has been tough. I found a lot of strength and courage from them,” Hart said. “Coaching is about giving but it also about what you get back. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. I’d love to go undefeated, I’d love to make the playoffs. That’s part of the goal, but it is also about creating that bond and we definitely have that. “
On Monday, May 7, applications were due for those who hope to be considered for the Burbank City Council. The vacancy comes in light of the passing of Burbank Mayor Will Rogers.
A total of 31 applications were turned in and 28 applicants have qualified to begin the interview process.
During a City Council meeting on May 10, council members were given an introduction and presentation of 27 applicants interested in continuing the process. Applicant Davida Frieman withdrew prior to the meeting.
Council members voted for three candidates and determined the final eight candidates. The City Clerk conducted a draw of the finalists and placed them in order for the process to continue: 1. Robert S. Brody, 2. John Bwarie, 3. Chris John Rizzotti, 4. Carolyn Elizabeth Jackson, 5. Linda Helen Muchamel, 6. Barry Gussow, 7. Timothy Michael Murphy, and 8. Paul Richard Herman.
A City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 14 at 5:00 p.m. during which a question and answer session will take place. Council members will have fifteen minutes per applicant to ask five pre-determined questions that will allow candidates to elaborate on their qualifications.
Following the interviews, council members will continue the process and vote in a ballot for the top candidate of their choice. Afterward, the City Clerk will collect ballots, conduct another random drawing, and read the names of the top candidates with a maximum of four applicants.
After the announcement, there will be a time for public comment. Once council members have heard from those in attendance, they will deliberate on the final candidates. Then, the City Clerk will take a vote of the Council in the traditional vote used for Boards, Committee, and Commission appointments. A majority vote is required for an appointment.
The new Council Member will be appointed on May 19 or possibly before. Formal seating of the new council member and the Oath of Office recited by the City Clerk will occur during a City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m.
The Glendale Youth Orchestra plays the final concert of the 2017-18 season on Sunday evening, May 20, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. This fine youth orchestra performs standard symphonic repertoire and draws young musicians from Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and from throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.
The concert program on Sunday includes four concerto competition winners performing one movement with the orchestra. Andrew Lee performs the Shostakovich Cello Concerto, Matthew Kim plays the Ibert Flute Concerto, Cole Davis plays Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole on violin and Jamie Yoon performs the Saint-Saens Violin Concerto #3.
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Brad Keimach conducts the Glendale Youth Orchestra which performs standard symphonic repertoire at the Alex Theatre. (Photo Courtesy Glendale Youth Orchestra)
The second half of the program features the complete Symphony No. 39 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Now in its twenty-ninth season, the Glendale Youth Orchestra has been conducted by Brad Keimach for many years. Primarily featuring high school string, brass, wind and percussion players, the GYO is also comprised of talented middle school age musicians and those from area colleges.
Auditions for the 30th season of the GYO are held in June and September every year and more information can be found here. The orchestra practices weekly September through May in Burbank and Glendale and presents three concerts every year plus a Showcase Recital.
Tickets for Sunday’s concert are $15 general admission and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online here or at the box office the night of show.
The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand Boulevard in Glendale. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Parking is available for a nominal fee in nearby parking garages and on the street.
Editor’s Note: While there’s always a lot going on in Burbank, myBurbank’s “Get Out Of Town!” highlights some of our favorite activities and events outside the town borders.
Getting to the CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinals for the Burbank High boys’ tennis team is something to be proud of.
But the dream of getting to the semifinals ended on Monday when the Bulldogs lost to visiting Etiwanda 12-6.
The last time the Bulldogs (12-6 and third in the Pacific League), who defeated Gahr 12-6 and No. 4 seeded Simi Valley 10-8, advanced to this point in the playoffs was 2007.
The Eagles (19-4) are the No. 5 seeded team in this field and placed third in the Baseline League at 7-3.
Burbank’s singles team did especially well, capturing five points that included two points from junior James Lee, who defeated No. 2, junior Clyde Siringoringo 6-4 and No. 3, sophomore Chris Vergara 6-0.
At No. 2 for the Bulldogs, senior Nathan Soria captured a point after drilling Vergara 6-0.
Burbank’s No. 3 singles player, freshman Alex Galstyan, despite his youth, won a pair of points after knocking off Siringoringo and Vergara 6-2 and 6-2.
Etiwanda’s No. 1, junior Eric Chang defeated Lee 7-6 (8-6), and then knocked off Soria 6-1 and Galstyan 6-2, and Siringoringo took out Soria 7-5.
The Eagles, who for the second consecutive year ended Burbank’s season, grabbed eight of the nine points in doubles play.
The only point came from Burbank’s No. 1 team of senior Luciano Dapuetto and junior Ethan Lee, who held off No. 2, senior DeAndre Siringoringo and senior Victor Siapno 7-6 (9-7).
“I think it’s been a great four years,” Dapuetto said. “Burbank has a great program. It’s a great school. Overall this year has been the best of the four.”
Dapuetto was reflective afterward. “All beginnings have an end,” he said. “This wasn’t perfect. We were just going round by round. We made it this far. We had a lot of excitement coming into the game.”
Dapuetto/Lee fell to Etiwanda’s No. 1 squad, senior Sachin Reddi and freshman Dwayne Siringoringo 5-7 and No. 3, sophomore Shrey Shah and sophomore Dominio Estrada 4-6.
Burbank’s No. 2 tandem, senior Harout Abgaryan and sophomore Siddhanth Denduluri lost 4-6 and 2-6 to Etiwanda’s No. 1 and No. 2 squads, while the pair of Abgaryan and freshman reserve, Abasi Abukusumo, were hammered by No. 3, 0-6.
The Bulldogs’ duo of sophomore Parker Katz and sophomore Dominick Sumera were stymied 2-6 and 1-6 by Etiwanda’s No. 2 and No. 3.
Katz and senior Greg Farhadian, a reserve, were blitzed by Etiwanda’s No. 1 tandem, 0-6.
Longtime Etiwanda coach Brent Lunt, who has been at his post 33 years, was pleased with the final result.
“I thought my two singles could have played better,” he intoned. “I thought the doubles played pretty good. The doubles have been consistent all year.”
Burbank Fire Department and Burbank Police Department hosted Fire Service Day and National Police Week on Saturday, May 12.
The Fire Department opened the doors to the main Burbank Fire Station on Orange Grove. They were joined by Hollywood Burbank Airport Fire Department, Disney Fire Department and several other organizations from Burbank including Bike Angels and myBurbank.com.
The Burbank Police Department had displays on their Notar helicopter, K-9, Foundation, Reserves and Motor units, SWAT and the Animal Shelter.
Attendees took pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and checked out demonstrations of car extractions, tours of the firehouse, a bike safety course, a physical agility course for kids, disaster preparedness, the Hazmat unit and more.
Here is a photo gallery of the day’s events. Click any picture to see it better.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Just before the show an announcer says, “We’ve been asked if the kids really play their instruments. Yes they do.” Do they ever! Welcome to musical theater’s first-ever kids’ live rock band. These real-deal young performers, aged nine to 12, make School of Rock-the Musical delightfully meta. They were also impressive doing close-up performances in the Pantage’s lobby earlier this week.
The school bench is deep with talent. Young cast member Huxley Westemeier (Billy, u/s Lawrence,) to give just one example, began studying classic piano at five, and then discovered rock. He’s never looked back. Now 10, Westemeier’s using a MIDI controller (“you can layer together separate hands”) to compose music intended for the Broadway stage.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Fans of the movie version will find that Rob Colletti channels Jack Black’s comic, chaotic energy and amps it up for the live stage, becoming the teacher we wished we had…well, at least once. “It’s all about the kids,” says Colletti, and that mantra infuses his character throughout the musical. By the time the class of helicoptered prep school students transforms into a full-on rock band, School of Rock becomes, in the words of co-star Lexie Dorsett Sharp, “a rock concert.”
A quick memory refresher about the story’s set up:
We open with guitarist and wannabe rock star Dewey (played by Rob Colletti) mistaking his stage hogging for talent, to the dismay of the band he founded, “No Vacancy.” True to their label, the band members already have a new guitarist on board when they kick Dewey out. They’re not about to let him ruin their chances at fame and fortune in the upcoming Battle of the Bands, only weeks away.
So, we have a discouraged Dewey waking up in the apartment of his buddy-since-high-school Ned Schneebly (Matt Bittner.) At the urging of his exasperated girlfriend Patty Di Marco (Emily Borromeo,) Ned tells Dewey he must make up for his share of the rent or move out. Soon after, Dewey answers a phone call, thinking it may be a buyer for the stuff he’s having to sell for quick cash.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.But the fateful call turns out to be from Rosalie Mullins (Lexie Dorsett Sharp,) the principal of the Horace Green (very expensive green) prep school inquiring for Ned about a short-term position as a substitute teacher. Desperate for money, Dewey impersonates Ned and is hired to oversee a fourth grade class of hemmed-in students. When Dewey overhears a music class, inspiration strikes. He’s going to turn his overscheduled charges into a rock band that will enable him to take the upcoming Battle of the Bands by storm (and give the horns to his old band members.)
But he’s going to need the cooperation of a very tightly wound Principal Mullins.
And so the fun and magic kicks in to high gear. “Dewey let’s us do what we want to do,” says Alyssa Emily Marvin (Marcy.) “He brings out our true selves.” “More ‘loosey goosey’,” adds Westemeier.
Colletti agrees that Dewey is on a journey to get his alpha back after being ejected from No Vacancy and hitting “rock bottom.” “He’s not going to be a rock star,” says Colletti before quoting an apt line from Ned, but Dewey will find that he can ignite the starfire in others. The turning point comes when Dewey realizes “that Zack was the better songwriter”, and uses Zack’s song instead of his own at the Battle of the Bands.
“Where did my inner child go?” asks Sharp, crystallizing the angst of her Principal Rosalie character. Under Dewey’s influence, she begins to find it, after “her character warms up to Dewey in the bar scene of Act II.” Off-stage, she “tries to be a role model offering kindness and respect” to the 16 youngsters in the cast, who are accompanied by “guardians, mentors and ‘child wranglers’.” (As in, “where did my outer child go?”)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The kids have a demanding schedule that might make the fictional Horace Green prep school seem like easy duty in comparison. Marvin tries to memorize “all the hotels and floors where they stayed,” which includes Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit. But it seems that memorizing lines can be enough of a challenge. For example, swing actor Jack Suarez Kimmel (u/s Zack, Freddy, Mason, Billy) has to be prepared to inhabit any of several characters on short notice, as illness and other manifestations of Murphy’s Law has its wicked way with the cast. “When you’re saying the wrong character’s lines, we call it ‘swing brain’,” remarks Kimmel.
“I’m the girl with the dreadlocks who warms up the audience and gets them energized,” announces Olivia Bucknor (Shonelle, u/s Tomika,) who’s been singing and dancing since she was two. When asked for words of encouragement to kids just starting to sing or play an instrument Bucknor says, “Always keep trying, no matter how much you mess up. Practice makes perfect.” “Perfect practice makes perfect,” chimes in Carson Hodges (Mason, u/s Lawrence,) who plays keyboard and guitar.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Make that deliberate practice, in which you’re constantly putting yourself on the bleeding edge of mastery, rather than comfortably retreating to things you already do well. It’s estimated that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice moves one from novice to master. The child actors in School of Rock have a huge start on that 10,000-hour journey, and it really shows in their work.
As discussed in Cal Newport’s seminal book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, talent doesn’t just spring forth from Zeus’ brow like Athena; it’s cultivated by deliberate practice. That was true even in the case of Mozart. (The book’s title comes from when Steve Martin was asked about the secret of succeeding in show business. He replied, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”) Appropos of School of Rock, Newport relates how he and his friend both played the guitar but at some point Newport was content to remain at a basic level while his friend kept challenging himself, eventually becoming a master guitarist. One can imagine Dewey becoming good enough for some local, garage band acclaim, but not willing to do the work to take his guitar skill to the next level. Fortunately for him, he was developing his ability to persuade other people to take a leap and make music; doing that with fourth graders instead of peers was taking that skill to the next level.
At the show’s finale, the initially-outraged parents are thrilled to see the musical level of excellence of their sons and daughters and all is forgiven. As Colletti observes, “they come to realize that there is more than one way for their child to succeed” than following a rigid route. Dewey gets to be an after-hours music coach at Horace Green, his “loosey goosey” now harmonizing with the school’s more structured academics. A newfound balance arrives for both Dewey and Rosalie, setting the stage for something more than a beautiful friendship between them.
***
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.After watching the School of Rock movie with her children back in 2006, Executive producer Madeleine Lloyd Webber went after the stage rights, finally landing them in 2012. As Playbill notes, “She fell in love with the film, finding it hilarious, charming and, above all, very touching. The film’s celebration of the transforming power of music on young people was very close to her heart.” The rest, as they say, is history. Her husband and legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber brought the story to the London stage (with all the original songs from the movie as well as 14 new songs) to widespread acclaim and rave reviews. In addition to being nominated for four Tony Awards in 2016, School of Rock – The Musical also won the 2017 Oliver award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.
The Webbers’ encouragement occurs off stage as well. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Program promises every child an entitlement to study a musical instrument on entry to school as well as tuition and the opportunity to play and perform as part of an ensemble or orchestra groups. In 2016, the Andrew Lloyd Weber Foundation endowed the American Theatre Wing with a $1.3 million, three-year grant to support theater education opportunities for under-served young people and public schools across the U.S.
Burbank public schools exemplify the opposite end of the spectrum, where the community—much like the parents at the end of School of Rock—rally around the children and make sure there is room for the arts. Recently the Burbank Arts For All Foundation has partnered with BUSD to support BUSD’s school year-long “Music Is Instrumental” campaign to repair or replace musical instruments in Burbank’s middle and high schools. “Music is Instrumental” has garnered wide community support, and is just one of many grants and programs in support of the arts.
In School of Rock, Zack sings, “I have so much to say if only you listen…” Burbank is listening.
SCHOOL OF ROCK-THE MUSICAL is at the HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE through May 27
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 1p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Additional 2 p.m. weekday matinee onThursday 5/24
No evening performance on Sun 5/27
Individual tickets start at $35
Ticket prices subject to change without notice.
Parental Advisory:
Ages 8 and up
Children under 5 will not be admitted to the theatre.
All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.
Tickets:
Tickets for SCHOOL OF ROCK are now on sale, and available at www.HollywoodPantages.com/LoveNeverDies and www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 982-2787 or in person at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Box Office (Opens Daily at 10am PT).
School of Rock will also play a two-week engagement in Costa Mesa at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (July 24 – August 5).
Facing probably the best pitcher this season, the Burbank High softball team would have to be picture perfect.
Daunting as this challenge was, there wasn’t a lack of confidence, but this only goes so far.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Bulldogs were put in a stranglehold by Norwalk senior hurler Breanna Vasquez, who held Burbank to three hits, striking out a season-best 16 batters with one walk and one hit batter over seven innings en route to a 4-2 win at McCambridge Park in a CIF Southern Section Division IV wild-card game.
The Lancers (11-10) did all their scoring in the first inning off junior Alyssa Porras, who gave up an infield single to Vasquez, the leadoff hitter.
Alyssa Porras allowed four runs in the first inning in a CIF wild-card loss to visiting Norwalk. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
When sophomore Brianna Nunez (two hits) clubbed a run-scoring double down the left-field line, Vasquez scored.
Senior Samantha Campos was hit by a pitch and freshman Estefania Perez was safe on the first of two errors in the frame.
Sophomore Angelina Perez hit back to the box and was retired at first base and sophomore Destanie Cervantes (two hits) popped up for the second out.
Junior Destiny Ochoa made it to first base on an error, but was out at second base for the third out.
“When we get down that quickly and by that much in the game, it’s really hard to get back up and start getting that energy to score more,” said Porras, who went seven innings, yielding five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. “At the end we did, but not that much.”
Porras said the team felt good coming into the game. “I think we were thinking about winning,” she said. “But it was harder to focus today because we really wanted to be in the playoffs and we had a really good season.”
Fleet-footed center fielder Alex Davis made a spectacular play in the third inning. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
The Bulldogs (16-12) shaved the advantage to 4-1 with a run in the fifth inning as junior Sarah Garelick was nicked by an offering from Vasquez with one out.
Senior Bene Snyder’s grounder moved Garelick to second base and Garelick later scored on an error.
Burbank’s second run came in the seventh when junior Desi Gomez laced a one-out single to right field which prompted junior Carly Oldfield to enter as a pinch runner.
After senior Erin Lashkari fanned for the second out, Snyder ripped a base hit up the middle as Oldfield crossed the plate that made it a two-run deficit.
Sophomore Katie Treadway then fanned to end the game and the season for the Bulldogs.
“We just didn’t come out in that first inning, because like I told the team, the first inning is just as important as the seventh inning,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said.
Still Delaney was pleased with the effort despite the setback. “About two years ago we started implementing a team-first mentality,” he said. “It took hold this year and our seniors did a phenomenal job of instilling this to our underclassmen. Overall it’s the way we played ball. We never gave up. We got two outs and we’re battling.”
Senior third baseman Bene Snyder shows off her throwing arm in a wild-card match against the Lancers. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
Delaney then added: “I think the girls understand what it takes to be successful. I think for us as a program we’ve got to stop looking at beating Burroughs as our championship,” he said. “It’s just an emotional game. How do we move on with a win or loss to Burroughs?”
Vasquez was in charge from the outset.
“The first couple innings I was feeling really confident. The last couple of innings I was a little nervous, but my team has my back,” said Vasquez, who will play softball at Central Florida.
There was tension in the seventh inning because the Bulldogs had runners on first and second base.
“I was thinking I didn’t want any more people to advance,” Vasquez said. “So I wanted to take it pitch by pitch and make sure I got ahead of the batters and got the strikes in.”
Vasquez came out gunning in the opening stanza as she struck out senior Macie Jensen and junior Amaya Broyls.
Vasquez then surrendered an opposite field triple to right by junior Alex Davis, but fanned senior Anysia Gonzalez.
Vasquez worked a perfect second frame after striking out Gomez and Lashkari and getting Garelick to line out to second base.
The third inning was another 1-2-3 affair for Vasquez as Snyder, Treadway and Jensen all fanned.
Vasquez struck out the side in the fourth as Broyls was retired catcher to first base, Davis looking and Gomez swinging, but issued her only walk to Gonzalez, the third hitter of the inning.
Another perfect inning came in the sixth for Vasquez, who induced Jensen and Broyls to ground out to third base and Davis to fly out to center field.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.I remember one of the most stressful times of my young life was to go to the bicycle rider training and having my bicycle safety checked at the Fire Station Headquarters on Olive Avenue.
Questions popped into my mind like “what if I fail the training?”, “does my bike have what it takes to be safe and earn my Burbank bike registration sticker?”
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.My brand new Schwinn Tiger was the pride of my young life. It was candy apple red with white pin striping and the envy of my kid friends in the neighborhood.
But what if I did not pass, and did not get my sticker? I could no longer ride!! The Horror!
This gripped my young mind as we went to Olive Rec for the parking lot test track made of chalk in the parking lot. You may have well guessed that this was less of a big deal than I had built it up in my mind.
The instructor read to us about what we were going to be doing, staying between the lines, making turns in the lines, stopping inside the lines and not falling down! I passed and then we headed back up Olive to the Fire station that was just below Glenoaks.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.There my bike was put through its paces and a rigorous visual inspection. The Fireman performing this inspection pronounced my bike safe and awarded it the coveted Burbank Bicycle Safety Sticker which he placed on the seat column support near the bottom about 6 inches above the pedals.
I was so proud! I passed and so did my Bike!
This is not something they do today but back then it was a service of the City of Burbank to keep our youth on their bikes safe! Not to mention creating anxiety which made us nervous wrecks before we even started.
Get your Copy of Lost Burbank Now! Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Slowly fading with the city’s ever-changing landscape, the places and people of Burbank’s past tell a vibrant story. Before the arrival of Warner Bros. and Walt Disney, First National Pictures built its original studio lot on Olive Ave in 1926. For over sixty years, Lockheed Aircraft Company produced some of the nation’s best airplanes where the massive Empire Shopping Center now stands. Heavyweight champion James Jeffries turned his Burbank ranch home and barn into a beloved landmark and boxing venue. Inventor Joseph Wesley Fawkes’s scheme to build a monorail to Los Angeles became a local laughingstock. Diehard Burbankers Wes Clark and Michael McDaniel collect these and many more forgotten local stories where they can finally be found.
and their new book, Growing Up in Burbank, just out!!
Students and staff at Walt Disney Elementary School held Disney Distinguished Day on Thursday, May 17, to celebrate the school’s selection as a California Distinguished School and Exemplary Arts Program by the California Department of Education.
Students wore paper Mickey Mouse ear hats donated by the Walt Disney Company, enjoyed frozen fruit treats and drew all over the playground with buckets of chalk.
Special guests at the day’s festivities included Jamie Keyser from the Walt Disney Company, Burbank Board of Education members Charlene Tabet and Steve Frintner, Superintendent Matt Hill, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Sahron Cuseo and Director of Elementary Education Peter Knapik.
“Today was really about celebrating the students and the hard work they put in to be honored with the California Distinguished School Award,” commented Principal Molly Hwang. “At Disney, our goal is empower our youth.”
“Disney depends on the support of our parents, BUSD, and our Burbank Business Partner, The Walt Disney Company, to help every student at Walt Disney Elementary School reach their highest potential,” she added. “Disney Eagles, Soar to Success!”
Disney Elementary was one of 287 schools out of 6,193 public elementary schools in California to receive the Distinguished School award. The school was one of 12 schools in the state to be honored with the Exemplary Arts Program award.
In celebration of Bike Month, the Burbank Transportation Management Organization (BTMO) hosted two bike and walk “Pit Stops” in the City of Burbank during its annual “Bike & Walk to Work Day” on Thursday, May 17, 2018.
The BTMO and its partners embraced the theme Bike Walk Breathe! to promote healthy living, clean air, and getting people out of their cars to get to work. One pit stop was located at The Pointe in Burbank’s Media District and the other was located at the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station. Both pit stops were open to the public Thursday morning starting at 77 am to catch those walking or biking to work.
In Downtown Burbank, commuters were greeted at the Metrolink stop by vendors, including the City of Burbank, REI Burbank, BTMO staff, and Rx Bar. Commuters were able to get helpful information, giveaways, and bike repairs.
At The Pointe’s pit stop, partner organizations gave out healthy bites, helpful information, and thanks to commuters. Partners included the Burbank Bike Angels, Burbank Police Department, Go Green Bicycles, The Burbank Studios Café, Walk Bike Burbank, and more. City Councilmember Sharon Springer and Transportation Commission Member Janet Diel were also on hand to help celebrate biking and walking in Burbank.
Some Burbank employers also held pit stops for walkers and bikers. “As an anchor employer in the Burbank Media District with thousands of employees, we encourage alternative modes of transportation to take traffic off the roads, lessen our environmental impact and help promote healthy lifestyles,” said Michael Walbrecht, Vice President, Public Affairs, Warner Bros. and BTMO board member. “We have a passionate group of bikers and walkers at the Studio who helped make today a great success.”
The Burbank Transportation Management Organization (BTMO) is a private-sector nonprofit organization formed to bring together employers, developers, building, owners and other stakeholders. To reduce congestion and increased air quality, the BTMO seeks reduced dependency on single-occupancy automobile travel. Working together with member businesses and partners, the BTMO encourages the use of public transit, carpooling, walking and biking. It also integrates private sector involvement into public sector transportation planning and project implementation.
Jagdeep Chahal still isn’t sure it is his best event, but Saturday afternoon the soon-to-be Burroughs High graduate was the best the CIF Southern Section had to offer in the 1,600 meters.
Chahal set a school record by running 4 minutes, 12.73 seconds to win the Division 1 title at El Camino College.
Chahal, who is headed to UC Santa Barbara, credited his competitors for helping him.
“If it wasn’t for Edgard Villa (Vista Murrieta) and Anthony Stone of Loyola, if they didn’t take it out fast, I probably wouldn’t have run 4:12,” said Chahal, who is Burroughs first individual CIF champion in track since Carolyn Brown won the 800 in 2000. “Thanks to them, it happened. I wasn’t trying to go all out because I need to conserve for the two mile.”
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Jagdeep Chahal (red) is in a pack in the 3,200.
Chahal’s time was the third fastest on the day. Only Timothy Sterkel of West Ranch (4:12.03) and Rory Abberton of West Torrance (4:12.13), both of which competed in Division 2, had faster times.
Chahal came back later and finished third in the 3,200 in Division 1 in 9:05.85. Mira Costa’s Xavier Court won in 9:04.49, followed by Zach Arias of Ayala High (9:05.22).
Chahlal, who ran 9:00.61 in the 3,200 earlier this season, said he probably will drop one of the two events since there isn’t as much rest time in the CIF Masters Meet next Saturday.
“If I choose to the do mile, I’m planning on trying to go sub-4:10,” Chahal said.
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Elizabeth Switzer goes through a practice jump.
Joining Chahal at the Masters Meet will be girls’ pole vaulter Elizabeth Switzer. She finished third in Division 1 by clearing 12 feet. She was one of eight vaulters to clear 12-0 across the four CIF Divisions.
“The conditions were kind of hard with the wind and it was kind of cold, but I ended up matching my PR,” Switzer said. “I’m moving on. That’s all I wanted do.”
Switzer’s 12-0 in the second best in school history. Ironically, her father Jon, is the second best in school history in the boys’ pole vault.
Nickelodeon, as part of a philanthropy project their interns undertake every semester, has provided the Burbank YMCA with a colorful and large mural that decorates the west side of their building facing the parking lot.
Typically, the murals are designed for schools. This time around, however, the interns felt the Burbank YMCA served as the perfect platform for their altruistic work.
“We wanted to branch out and paint one for an organization that reached a broader audience, which is why we went with the Burbank YMCA”, said Lindsay Anderson, Community Efforts intern. “The Y caters to just about everyone and we were so excited to be able to create something for all of their patrons to see and enjoy whenever they stop by.”
“We started by brainstorming various different ideas through rough sketches”, said Nicole Lozano, Production Intern and one of the artistic leads on the project. “Any of the interns willing to offer up their artistic talents to draw a concept for the mural were allowed to submit their ideas to our awesome logistic lead and showrunner for this entire project, Lindsay Anderson. Lindsay then sent our sketches over to, Mary Cutone, President/CEO of the Burbank YMCA”.
“[Mary] wanted it to reflect the YMCA’s core values – youth development, healthy living, and social responsibly, while simultaneously encompassing the realness of the people who come to the YMCA”, said Anderson.
The primary vision was planted in inclusiveness and aimed to highlight the YMCA’s reaching impact on the community.
“I really wanted to visually capture Mary’s “For All” message, so I started sketching away all sorts of different people from all walks of life to form a community of people in the design. After doing a few touch ups according to Mary’s specifications, my concept design was chosen for the final piece to be painted on the YMCA’s wall”, said Lozano, who described the collaborating process as a “total blast” with her Nickelodeon companions (also known as “NICKterns” among each other).
After the YMCA considered the variety of work submitted, the collaboration resulted in what is now the finished project – which took about a week to complete. The mural itself depicts a wide range of community members of diverse backgrounds taking part in a variety of activities in front of a colorful landscape.
Aside from some extreme heat, not many challenges presented themselves. From beginning to end, the entire process played out close to three months.
While the majority of the design was handled by a few gifted interns, all 35 of them lent their talents and skill sets to complete the project.
Lozano continues, “The best part of this whole experience was getting to tackle this mural with my fellow interns because not only are they such a fun and energetic bunch, but most of them aren’t actually artists at all! So, getting to see them jump in, take the creative reins, and get messy with paint was such a fun learning experience”.
“The goal was to encompass the ‘For All’ mentality of the YMCA, so we really wanted to create something that celebrated diversity”, said Anderson. “We wanted every person who saw the mural to feel as if they were represented in some way”.
“I wanted to celebrate life and the variety of different people in the world, so I tried to give each person I drew their own, unique personalities that would shine through in their own way”, said Lozano.
What was once an assuming wall in downtown Burbank is now the home of a promising view of our community’s future and a fun reminder of the joys of collaboration with friends.
Essentially, it represents the tenets of the YMCA.
Joaquin Miller Elementary School students presented two different performing arts activities for their families and school community on Tuesday evening, May 15.
Jennifer Griffith’s first grade class wrote original fairy tales and then performed them on a stage in the Copeland Courtyard at the school. The stage was donated to the school by Burbank High School for use as an outdoor stage.
The first-graders also planned and painted the backdrops used in the performance.
“My first-graders definitely felt a great sense of ownership knowing they had written, directed and created their plays,” commented Griffiths. “We started with a genre study of fairy tales and learned the ‘ingredients’ of a fairy tale.”
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Kindergarten students perform the play “BFF.” Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
“They then got in groups of four to create their own fairy tale plays. They ranged from Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a modern twist to a version of Hansel and Gretel that found the characters lost in an open garden with no WiFi.”
Debbie Winstein and Michelle Fitzpatrick’s Kindergarten classes presented the play BFF in the auditorium that same evening.
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First-graders at Joaquin Miller Elementary School perform their contemporary fairy tales on an outdoor stage donated by Burbank High. (Photo Courtesy Jennifer Griffith)
A grant from the Burbank Arts For All Foundation provided funding so that Griffith, Winstein and Fitzpatrick’s classes could hire music teacher Johanna Chase to work with the students and help them write an original song for each production. Chase was already working at Miller as a music teacher for the entire Kindergarten class.
“Working with Johanna on the finale song was a great way to recap their work and teach them about the basics of music composition,” said Griffith.
“This is the latest of many grants that we’ve given to support the theater program at Miller over the years,” commented Program and Outreach Manager Saundra Montijo.
“Our first investment was for teacher professional development in 2012, followed by grants to further their fourth and fifth grade productions, provide equipment and – most recently – to support the development of original productions for Kindergarten and first grade students,” she added. “This grant is our third investment for Kinder and first grade theater.”
“We’re so glad to see their continued growth and how they continue to innovate and educate through the performing arts.”
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Kindergarten students perform the play “BFF.” Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
Winstein and Fitzpatrick’s classes took seven stories from Mo Willems’ Gerald and Piggie books and turned them into six acts of a play, so all of the 40 students could have a speaking part if they wished, explained Winstein.
“We read all the titles during the year and the students chose their favorites to get turned into our play,” continued Winstein. “Since the books don’t have a lot of text, we looked closely at the facial expressions and body language used to convey feelings. This was incorporated into their acting warm-ups.”
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First-graders at Joaquin Miller Elementary School perform their contemporary fairy tales on an outdoor stage donated by Burbank High. (Photo Courtesy Jennifer Griffith)
“This is the third year doing a play with my class and I was excited that Ms. Fitzpatrick wanted to join in,” she added. “The hope is to show teachers the academic benefits of performance and the confidence gained when having ownership of the productions.”
“We had students who came into the year speaking little to no English and ended the year being on a stage with lines to speak. One of our students who had to be coaxed to at least be up on the stage without a speaking part asked three days before the show if he could have a few lines. Watching him come alive was worth all the hard work.”
“One student said they loved their characters and were scared before the curtain opened, but once it opened and they saw their family they were ‘okay,'” said Winstein.
“Another student has decided to become an actor because of his experience and yet another said our play as better than Mo Willems’ books,” she also said. “I wouldn’t go that far but the humor and message of friendship definitely resonated.”
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Kindergarten students perform the play “BFF.” Photo By: Edward Tovmassian
