The Claremont High School Theatre recently brought to life the cult classic musical "Little Shop of Horrors," with performances on February 8, 9, and 10 that captivated audiences, filling the house to the brim on multiple occasions. Directed by Mohammed Mangrio, CHS's Theatre Director, this production marked a noteworthy milestone, being a show close to Mangrio's heart as the first musical he ever participated in during high school. "Directing this group was a lot of fun...we just had the right group of kids to make it all happen, both on the technical and performance sides," Mangrio shared. 

The enthusiasm and dedication of the cast and crew were pivotal in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. Avan Bisono, who starred as Seymour, expressed his excitement and the rigorous process behind landing the lead role. "The process of deciding on the show, requesting rights, and then auditions at the beginning of the year... it was really cool," Bisono recounted. His preparation for embodying Seymour involved mastering lines and music and building chemistry with cast mates, including practicing scenes with the character of Audrey and the iconic plant. Bisono's aim for the audience was simple, "I just want them to have a good time and laugh."

This production not only showcased the exceptional talent of Claremont High's students but also underscored the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and the rich learning experiences provided through the arts. The success of "Little Shop of Horrors" at Claremont High School illustrates the vibrant spirit of its theatre program and the transformative power of performing arts in education.

To see a Claremont High School Theatre performance, click the link below for more information.

The Claremont High School German Program has taken the next step in launching the SPARK program at Sycamore Elementary School. This innovative after-school initiative offers 4th to 6th graders a unique opportunity to dive into the German language and culture free of charge. Spearheaded by Jennifer Tsai, Claremont High's German teacher, the program spans six sessions on two Fridays each month, where students are immersed in introductory German through a hands-on learning experience. Under the supervision of Tsai, Claremont High's German students lead the classes as part of their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DB) Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project.

The enthusiasm of the high school instructors shines through in their teaching, bringing personal passion and commitment to the program. Justine Ouellette, a German club officer, and IB Diploma Candidate expressed her joy in sharing the language with younger students, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and adaptable during lessons. Inspired by his family's German heritage, Tobin Anders aimed to instill an appreciation for bilingualism, highlighting the collaborative and patient teaching approach required. Mariana Hunter, Libby Raviv and Lauren Fang also shared insights from their teaching experiences, noting the value of patience, effective communication, and adaptability in engaging young learners. Each instructor's unique motivation for teaching German—whether it be a familial connection, a love for the language, or sibling influence—contributes to a rich, multifaceted learning environment for elementary students.

The SPARK program introduces Sycamore students to a new language and culture and aims to ignite a lifelong interest in language learning. Through this initiative, CHS students have demonstrated impressive leadership and creativity, embodying the spirit of the IB program's CAS project. As these young instructors share their knowledge and passion, they hope to inspire their elementary counterparts to explore German further, potentially continuing their language studies into middle and high school. This pioneering program is a testament to the power of cross-age teaching and the profound impact of introducing young learners to the world's diverse cultures and languages.

David G. Millen Mentoring Award

Claremont Unified School District’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Julie Olesniewicz was recently awarded the David G. Millen Mentoring Award from the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 15. This award is presented in memory of long-time ACSA member David G. Millen, who succumbed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on May 21, 2004. David G. Millen promoted ACSA through his years of service at the Region level and as an active member of the Antelope Valley Charter. This award is to be presented annually to an individual who best exemplifies the principles of mentoring that David G. Millen modeled.

Promising Administrator Award

Coordinator of Educational Technology, Kara Evans, was recognized for the Promising Administrator Award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 15.  This award recognizes outstanding performance and achievement by a new/promising administrator who is an ACSA member.  Ms. Evans exemplifies strong support for our schools’ management teams and demonstrates exceptional leadership in managing programs involving creativity and innovation within our district. 

 Claremont Management Association Charter Leadership Award

Sycamore Principal, Amy Stanger, was recognized as Claremont Management Association’s Charter Leadership Award recipient.  Ms. Stanger is an exceptional leader who exemplifies the motto of “putting students first.”  She is a true servant leader and consistently advocates for what is best for students.  She is thoughtful in her processes.  Ms. Stanger is looked upon as a leader amongst our principals, providing them with mentoring and modeling.  She is a constant learner, who finds opportunities to learn alongside others.    

All of the above recipients will be recognized at the ACSA Spring Conference & Award Dinner on April 19, 2024.

The Claremont Unified School District recently hosted a professional development workshop for teachers on visual and media arts, led by the well-known Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca, an interdisciplinary visual artist, writer, and esteemed arts educator. This innovative workshop offered a unique opportunity to delve into the world of photographs and films, exploring art elements, film and photo editing, lighting techniques, essential vocabulary, and personal presentations of artworks created. This engaging session fostered artistic creativity and was designed to align with the California Arts Standards for Visual Arts, emphasizing creating, presenting, responding, and connecting within the educational framework.

The participants, including students from San Antonio High School’s leadership class, applied the film techniques taught in the short films they created during the workshop. The teachers enjoyed the energy of the high schoolers and were able to experience how students could present personal narrative storytelling in short films in a classroom setting.

Arts professional development is a key goal of CUSD’s strategic arts plan and the CUSD Commitment. New art supplies purchased from a generous Arts Advancement Grant from Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture allowed participants to create animations, props, and backgrounds for their films. The supplies will be available in kits at the secondary schools to support visual arts integration.

Laura Viera, the Advisor for Claremont High School's Key Club, was recently presented with the Youth Service Award by the Kiwanis Club of Claremont, a recognition celebrating her dedication to nurturing young leaders through service and volunteerism. This award highlights those who dedicate their time fulfilling the Kiwanis mission of making our children safer, empowering their spirit, engaging their potential, and preparing them for beyond. Under Laura's leadership, the Key Club demonstrates how high school students can be a part of positive change in their schools and communities through committed action and volunteerism.

Laura's commitment to instilling a culture of service among her students is evident in the Key Club's broad spectrum of initiatives. Whether making cards for children in hospitals or volunteering at local events, her guidance has been vital in enriching many lives across the Claremont community. Laura emphasizes the value of service beyond oneself, stating, "I always encourage them that we have to do something better beyond ourselves... to give to others and not expect something in return." This ethos of giving and community engagement is a core principle she successfully imparts to her students, inspiring them to undertake meaningful service projects.

The Youth Service Award recognizes Laura Viera's unwavering dedication and underscores the significant impact educators can have on inspiring the next generation. Laura says “This award is not just for me, but for all the educators who are trying to make a difference.” Rooted in a family tradition of service and her own formative experiences, Laura's leadership of the Key Club exemplifies how commitment and passion can foster a spirit of generosity and action among students. Her achievements serve as a beacon, illustrating the transformative power of educators in shaping future leaders committed to making a difference in their communities and beyond. Congratulations to Laura Viera for this well-deserved award, and may her inspiring work continue to influence her students and the wider community.

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