State of the Arts
2016-17
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Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School
June 17, 2017
Dr. Edward A. Trimis, Principal
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Welcome to the "State of the Arts"
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It seems that as each month goes by, it becomes more unbelievable that we could do as much as we do at VAPA in such a short amount of time. There are so many new programs and so much good news as we close out a stellar year for us while we plan for 2017-18. So much has happened just since the last
State of the Arts newsletter in April! I think one of the biggest news items to share (though there is SO much good news), is our 2017 Graduation Rate of 92%. Congratulations to our senior class, our staff, administration, counselors, and teachers. It really does take a village to raise a child, as the old proverb goes, and we have that village at VAPA. It is exiting and rewarding to be part of a team that is so passionate about education, passionate about the arts, and passionate about our students and really make a difference in their lives. So here we go with the updates! Be sure to click the
hyperlinks in RED at the bottom of each article to see more photos and enrich your experience!
-Dr. Edward Trimis, Principal
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CONGRATULATIONS! Legacy VAPA increases Graduation Rate by 6% up to 92% for the Class of 2017! (from 86% in 2016). Congrats to Dr. Edward Trimis (principal), Gabriela Noriega (AP), Jeina Dadrass (Coordinator and Senior Sponsor), Heather Simmons & Griselda Solis (counselors), our faculty and staff and all of our families and graduating seniors! In 2016, the Grad Rate California was 82.6% and for LAUSD was 75%. The national graduation rate is at 83.2%. At VAPA, 95% of our population is Latino and about 85% participate in the federal free and reduced lunch program. Nationally, the rate is not as high for children of color which should be a concern for everyone.
Graduation was on June 9, 2017 at the South Gate Park Municipal Auditorium. It was everything a Graduation should be: a wonderful event with heartfelt and motivating speeches, beautiful performances, laughter, tears, and lots of hugs.
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Legacy VAPA Students Win Show Search Finals
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All of the shows in the 2017 Show Search finals competition were excellent. Congrats to the 3 college finalist teams and the 3 High School finalist teams. All shows were workshopped and rehearsed by a professional cast and director after writers made final edits on their shows while working with a mentor in the last month. Shows were performed for an audience and a panel of judges at Santa Monica College on June 11, 2017. The Grand Championship/final winners were awarded an additional $1000. The high school winner was "Grandma's Keeper", the show by Legacy VAPA students, Jessica Nava (VAPA, '19) and Maria Hernandez (VAPA, '19)! We are super proud of our young Musical Theatre writers! They are the only LAUSD students who were finalists.
Writing for Musical Theatre: Music, Lyrics, and Book was an experimental LAUSD course taught by Dr. Trimis at Legacy VAPA High School in 2016-17. The course will be taught by Stacie Craig (Legacy VAPA Theatre Arts Chair) in 2017-18 with ongoing support from Dr. Trimis and Legacy VAPA Music Faculty.
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New Informational Materials at VAPA
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Have you checked out our new flier, revised brochure, and new website at
www.vapalegacy.com? On the website all of our social media platforms are also linked (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, PodBean, YouTube).
Click for Website
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Senior Awards Gala and Recital
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Congratulations, Legacy VAPA Class of 2017, for a fantastic Senior Awards Gala and Recital on June 7, 2017! Seniors were honored with many awards including medals and cords they wore at graduation.
Several Legacy VAPA 2017 graduates were awarded the prestigious Bi-Literacy Seal, awarded at Wednesday night's Gala! These students have demonstrated literacy in at least 2 languages! The audience was treated to several graduating performers who sang, acted, and danced in the senior recital segment of the Gala. Congrats, Legacy VAPA Class of 2017 Salutatorians, Liliana Castillo and Saira Ramos, and Valedictorian, Carlos Calderon!
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The Legacy VAPA Class of 2017 celebrated their success at their Senior Breakfast on June 10. One more time to share each-other's company before the big day, Graduation!
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Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School-A School on the Move
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OK, it is admittedly the LAUSD slogan, "A District on the Move", however, the slogan is also very fitting for the transformation at Legacy VAPA High School. We have done so much this year AND we have so much planned for nest year! Here is a summary. 2016-17 was just the beginning. We rocked at VAPA and Legacy with 1. New Orchestra program, 2. New ACADECA Program/Team, 3. New Jazz Choir and Competitive A Cappella Singers (members enrolled in ACCA/Jazz Homeroom), 4. Active Glee Club, 5. Second Dance Team, 6. New AP Classes and Philosophy class, 7. More online learning, 8. 92% Grad Rate, 9. Guest Performers/Speakers including Danny Osuna, Jersey Boys Cast members, Music Center reps, a Holocaust Speaker, and more, 10. New Marching Band and Drumline, 11. New Competitive Color Guard, 12. New Writing for Musical Theatre Class (2017 Show Search Winners), 13. New activities such as Senior Gala, Black History Month Celebration, 14. New clubs such as LGBTQ/GSA Club, Social Media Photography Club, and Black Student Union, 15. New special activities such as Annual Recording Project ("Legacy VAPA" Released on I-Tunes) and Spring Concert Tour, 16. New Korean Language and Culture Program, 17. New Aloha Assembly, 18. Participation in Music Center Spotlight Program, 19. New Powder Puff Football Event, 20. New Student and Teacher of the Month program, and more. WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED! Coming in 2017-18 1. ACADECA as regular class, 2. Musical Theatre Writing Class as a regular class, 3. Musical Theatre Workshop (original works for the genre and Cabaret Show in the Spring), 4. A Cappella and Jazz Singers enrolled in 0 Period class for credit, 5. 8:30 start time, 6. National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Thespian Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society, 7. New guitar class, 8. Boys and Girls Water Polo Teams, 9. Competing Dance Team, 10. Show Choir, 11. Choir going to Festivals....
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Video Reviews VAPA Highlights from 2016-17
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It has been such a year of change and positive growth for Legacy VAPA in 2016-17! This video summarizes part of the VAPA story thus far this year!
Click for Video
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Jersey Boys Cast Members Visit VAPA
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Thank you, Jersey Boys cast members, Mark Ballas, David LaMarr, and Tish Diaz for sharing your experience and stories from the road with our students on June 2, 2017!
Click to see Jersey Boys Photos
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VAPA Voices Has A Banner Year
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Congrats, Legacy VAPA Voices for a great year! The advanced vocal groups were honored on Saturday, June 3, 2017. It has been quite a year for Legacy VAPA Voices A Cappella and Jazz Singers and Glee Club. Glee Club practiced 1-2 times a week at lunch and A Cappella and Jazz Singers practiced before school and during homeroom daily (they were all in Dr. Trimis' Homeroom). Activities included festivals, community and school concerts, a recording session, a concert tour to San Francisco, and special activities such as attending the ICCA Regional finals at UCLA (as seen in
Pith Perfect) and a trip to see the
Shrek premier at another LAUSD high school. Members of the groups will see
Pentatonix at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.
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Congratulations, VAPA students for a fantastic original production of their play, English Dreams which closed last night. They did a wonderful job. The play was directed by their teacher, Mr. Collins. Technical Direction by Mr. Delgado and support from his student team.
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This year Grad Nite was the evening of June 2. Seniors had a great time!
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Wonderful Freshman Orientation on May 31 at Legacy VAPA! Thank you, Ms. Noriega, Ms. Dadrass, Ms. Suarez, Ms. Simmons, and Ms. Solis for your leadership. Thank you ensemble directors for your student performances (Mr. Cuevas, Mr. Olvera and Mr. Sanna-Pickett). Thank you to our super talented arts teachers for presenting mini-lessons to our newest students (Mr. Sanna-Picket, Mr. Cuevas, Mr. Delgado, Ms. Kim, Ms. Holland,and Mr. Adolfo). And thank you to our student leadership/ASB student guides and social media photographers!
Click to See Orientation Photos
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VAPA Voices and Jazz Band On Tour
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The VAPA Voices Glee Club, A Cappella and Jazz Singers and Jazz Band went on their 1st Annual Concert Tour on May 12-14, 2017 to the San Francisco Bay Area. On Friday, after traveling all day and checking into their hotel, they performed a joint concert at Mercy High School in San Francisco. On Friday all three groups competed at the
Festivals of Music festival at Milpitas High School followed by a community concert in San Jose, CA. Sunday was sight-seeing day as the group drove the "crookedest street in the world", visited Golden Gate Bridge, and had lunch on their visit to Pier 39. One van even got to see the
Full House house as they left the city for Los Angeles. Thank you to our drivers (Ms. Dadrass, Mr. Cuevas, Dr. Trimis), our chaperones (Ms. Ruvalcaba, Ms. Dadrass, and Ms. Costello), our hosts in the Bay Area (Laura and Victor Flaviani, Jon Pedigo, Antigone Trimis), and Festivals of Music and Milpitas HS), and La Quinta Inn and Suites.
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Congratulations, Jerelyn Moran, for her wonderful performance at this year's
Bridge of Peace Ceremony in South Gate just now. She sang 3 songs and represented VAPA well! The audience loved it! Mayor Davila (City of South Gate) was one of the invited speakers at the event.
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Legacy Baseball Has A Great Season
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Congratulations, Legacy Baseball! Great banquet today capping off a fantastic season! Thank you to our coaches, staff, and supporters! Special congratulations to Legacy VAPA Baseball players: Juan Vega, Briana Cortes, Mikeal Lopez. The annual Awards Banquet was on May 27, 2017. Great season!
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VAPA Film students at the 2017 LAUSD FILM Awards at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences on 5/25/17. Thank you Mr. Adolfo and LAUSD.
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Spring Fest 2017: In Technicolor Dance on May 26, 2017 featured most of our dance groups and classes with many solos and small groups. This Dance Fest marked the return of Mr. Sanna-Pickett to the Dance Department. Great work, all! Thank you to Mr. Noriega for assisting and production design and vision.
Click for Springfest Dance Photos
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Springfest 2017: In Technicolor Music on May 24, 2017, featured all of VAPA's music ensembles including the choir, vocal ensemble, glee club, jazz singers, a cappella singers, beginning band, concert band, orchestra, mariachi ensemble, jazz band, with special guest performances by the K-Pop Dance Team and Korean Fan Dancers! Directors included Ms. Kim, Mr. Cuevas, and Dr. Trimis.
Click for Springfest Music Photos
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Color Guard at So Cal Finals
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Fantastic projects presented this semester in Ms. Spencer's VAPA Chemistry class! Teams demonstrated their understanding of concepts such as double displacement, single replacement, and synthesis, through a skit, original jingle, presentation, and business card summary! True arts integration in action!
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Film Composer Visits VAPA
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Thank you, Danny Osuna, Los Angeles-based composer/producer/musician
www.dannyosuna.com w
ho presented a workshop today to an enthusiastic VAPA audience on music careers and his experience in the industry. Danny was a music student studying with Dr. Trimis from 1991-95 (who went to school with Mr. Cuevas). After graduating from Huntington Park HS, he went on to get a bachelors degree at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood and has been working professionally ever since with hundreds of credits as a composer, performer, and producer. This latest event in the guest speaker series started with a jam session when VAPA faculty joined Osuna on stage (Mr. Cuevas, Mr. Delgado, and Dr. Trimis) and concluded with an audition workshop for two of our students, Brianda Palafox and Stephanie Kemp. It was a great opportunity for our students to be able to perform for a successful producer.
Click for Danny Osuna Photos
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Track Has A Fantastic Season
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Congratulations to the Legacy Track Team for a fantastic season this year and especially at the League Prelims and Finals at Huntington Park High School on May 4 and May 11 with many 1st place wins! We're proud of you! Flashing back to the 90's when he taught music at HP, Dr. Trimis, principal of Legacy VAPA High School and the Athletics Administrator for the Legacy Complex, grabbed a quick selfie and some members of the team in front of the HP Water.
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College Signing Day at VAPA
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The one and only Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School was in good form at our Cinco de Mayo Celebration (on May 5)! It is GREAT to be a VAPA Virtuoso Tiger! Thank you Mr. Adolfo's video production class, the leadership class, and all the performers!
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Boys Volleyball Have Great Season
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Congratulations, Legacy Boys Volleyball, for defeating Contreras HS in the 1st Round CIF Play-Offs on May 9! Their last game was against LACES at Legacy, on Thursday, 5/11.
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Swim Team's Glorious Inaugural Season
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There was no swim team at Legacy for 4 years. And then 2016-17 came and that all changed. We are so proud of our amazing swim team. They had a spectacular 1st season, improving at each practice and meet and being a tough team to beat! Thank you to Coach Jessica Curiel and the Athletic Director, Jair Sanchez for helping get the program started. Next year we are adding boys and girls water polo!
Click for South East Photos 4/5/17
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Legacy Cheer: End of a Great Season
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The Sharp Cheer Finals were at Magic Mountain on April 9, 2017. Congrats to our amazing team, their coaches, and thank you to all of their supporters. It was a magical end of a wonderful season. Even when their music cut out part-way through their final competition, the crowd yelled our numbers to keep them going and our team stayed on track, danced together, and made an impact, even with out music. It was something to see and a testament to how hard work and building a team can get you through anything, not only in cheer and in sports, but in life! Meanwhile, JV also had GREAT season, winning their bid for the championship at Redondo Union HS!
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Congratulations, class of 2017, Senior Cabinet (Ms. Dadrass, Senior sponsor )for a fantastic from last night! "A Midsummer Night's Prom" was everything a prom is supposed to be. Lovely venue, fantastic kids tastefully and beautifully dressed, great music and food, and no problems whatsoever. Thanks also to our sister school, STEAM HS, who participated in the prom with us. Special thanks to all of our many staff members and and teachers and their families who attended and supported their kids.
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Spring Musical Features High School Musical and VAPA Disney: Opening Act
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High School Musical and VAPA Disney Opening Act came to Legacy April 20-22. The 5th Annual Legacy Spring Musical is now history. Congrats to the wonderful cast and crew who put in countless hours in rehearsal, to our creative team of Ms. Craig, Mr. Delgado, Mr. Cuevas, and Ms. Kim, to all the parents, friends, and supporters, to the teachers who came out to support their students, to our high school partners, their students and principals who supported the show (ISLC HS and STEAM HS), and thanks to the cast of VAPA Disney Opening Act directed by Janet Huerta (VAPA, 2019) who literally put together a Disney Musical Review in only a handful of rehearsals! We are so proud of these kids who hung in there and made this happen through a number of challenges including losing power in the MPR including the lights and the sound system on Friday night, and STILL made the show happen. They truly embodied the philosophy and tradition of "the show must go on". This program was absolutely the one to watch! Look for lots of great things here and how to get involved! Next year for the drama program: Spring Musical, Fall Play, Playwriting/Musicals Writing course, Comedy Sportz Team, Touring Musical Group, Musical Theatre Workshop, and more!
Click for Spring Musical Photos
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Thank you Ms. Dadrass and the VAPA Leadership class for a great event today at South Gate Park! Thanks also to our performing groups (High School Musical Cast, Glee Club, Jazz Choir), Mr. Delgado and his team who did sound tech, and teachers and staff in attendance!
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#25 Reason to be a Legacy VAPA Student: New Mariachi Ensemble! Thank you, Mr. Cuevas, Department Chair and Director of Instrumental Music.
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Congratulations to Daisy Loya and Luis Magallon, VAPA HS members of Students Run LA and 2017 LA Marathon finishers, who were honored by the Mayor of South Gate, the South Gate City Council, and LAUSD at the South Gate City Council Meeting on April 6 at the South Gate Municipal Auditorium.
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New Honor Societies/Clubs Coming in 2017-18
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coming in 2017-18: Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society, and California Scholarship federation!
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Have you missed Dr. Trimis' weekly phone call? Have no fear! You can find the call, plus additional special podcasts, on our website as well as PodBean and i-Tunes!
Click to Go to Podcast
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New Musical Theatre Workshop in 2017-18
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Musical Theatre Workshop coming to Legacy VAPA! Original Musical Project in Fall, Vocal/Acting Workshop in Spring with Final Cabaret Performance! You want to be a part of this. Only 10-15 accepted into the Fall program. Auditions announced soon, but tentative date is Tuesday, August 16, at 4 pm. More details will be posted soon. Accepted students must be available on Tuesdays from 4-6 pm and one week over Winter Break for tech and final rehearsals. Shows will be in January and May.
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A Cappella & Jazz Singers auditions are Monday, August 21 at 7:30 am in the Music Room. Don't miss your opportunity to be a part of an amazing vocal group and program. A Cappella performs and participates in several activities and events each year including festivals, recordings, concerts, and tours. All members must commit to all rehearsals and performances and enroll in the a cappella homeroom and class ("0" Period/7:30-8:45 am).
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Did you know there are MANY videos of VAPA events on our YouTube channel (Tiger TV). Check them out! Thank you, Mr. Adolfo!
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Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School
Dr. Edward Trimis, Principal
Ms. Gabriela Noriega, Assistant Principal
Ms. Jeina Dadrass, TSP Coordinator/Leadership Advisor
Ines Melendez, SAA
Local District East
Mr. Jose Huerta, LDE Superintendent
Ms. Christina Rico, Director
LAUSD
Ms. Michelle King, Superintendent
Dr. Ref Rodriguez, SchoolBoard Member
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Contact
Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High School
www.vapalegacy.com
5225 Tweedy Bl.
South Gate, CA
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We have space at VAPA! Join us! Enroll through South Gate Zone of Choice and Bell Zone of Choice. Coming soon: District-wide Magnet program and SAS Program!
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We thank all of our partners, some which are listed below. Click the name of the partner to go to their website for more info! Thank you!
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August 3 Freshman Orientation
August 14 Teachers Return
August 15 1st Day of Classes
August 31 Aloha Assembly
Sept. 1/4 No School
Sept. 5-6 ID Photos
Sept.14 Back-to-School Night
Sept. 28 Coffee with the Principal
SCHOOL STARTS AT 8:30 am in 2017-18!
Complete Federal Meal App
Register for LAUSD PASS (parent portal)
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Legacy Visual and Performing Arts HS:
Preparing students for college, career, and life through the arts.
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