On Saturday, June 5th the GATE Academy held its culminating ceremony. There was amazing support for the program. Parents and families of our students filled the 400 seats. In attendance were, Director of State and Federal Programs, Mrs. Rosa Carreon, Board Members, Lorraine Neal, Karen Morrison and Margarita Rios and over 20 volunteers from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers after school program and the Language Assessment Center.

 

This ceremony was held to celebrate the fourteen (14) Saturdays that GATE students committed to enhancing their education in the visual and performing arts. Under the direction of Eric Solis, Coordinator of Language Assessment Center, and Mrs. Rosa Carreon, Director of State & Federal programs, teachers and volunteers worked alongside students instructing them in rigorous courses, learning the applications of art, guitar and recorder, music theory and appreciation, public speaking, and script-writing. All courses gave students the opportunity for hands on learning allowing them to utilize their creativity. For many students this academy was a first exposure to music. All the students were provided with individual guitars and recorders and taught to both read and play notes and popular music. These same students were introduced to the genre of script-writing, allowing them to take their creativity to an entirely new level .

 

Five students presented persuasive speeches concerning global topics that concerned them. These included the benefit of being multi-lingual, eliminating useless homework, donations to aid Haiti and whether abortion should be illegal. Three students presented a reading of an original script displaying the creativity of student thinking in a new genre of writing. 200 students on recorders and guitars, treated the attendees to a performance Ode to Joy and La Bamba, with the piano, saxophone, flute and violins accompanying the performance. The ceremony recognized each student with a medal and concluded with a reception of cake and punch and invitation to view the art gallery of student work in the MPR.

 

This program was a new approach for the district and GATE Academy and has proved to be one of the most successful and appreciated by both students and parents. The State & Federal programs department wishes to thank parents, students, board members, volunteers and staff for an amazing GATE Academy & Culmination.