Author and Journalist Juan Gonzalez speaks at LMC

SCHOOL

Sarah Capperauld & Lauren Gannod of Los Medanos College
February 2023

the lmc experience

the FEBRUARY newsletter

Esteemed author and journalist, Juan González was welcomed by Los Medanos College for his talk that addressed his studies of labor, immigration and social justice. His work covered the geography and history of immigration and noted themes from his book, “Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America.” 

González’s eye for writing was initially discovered by his high school English teacher who pushed him to join the student newspaper. 

“She insisted that I work on the paper and pushed me and made me the chief of the paper my senior year,” González said. “She was the one teacher who inspired me.” 

He works as co-host of the “Democracy Now!” newscast and from his past work, he was recognized by the National Associate of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. From his experience, he notes the importance of the truth in storytelling.

“Most journalists don’t consciously distort the story, they see it from a 1-D picture,” González said. “That’s why it’s the journalist’s job to dig deeper and make sure that they realize they are conscious of the flawed prism, seeing everything through a wider lens.”

“These walls we hate them, these walls we make them” were the lyrics that filled the room. The song “Tear Down the Walls” sets the tone for González’s talk as he uncovers the prejudice against migrants. He notes how America’s founding geography created a border of segregation, claiming “we didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us.” 

Following the talk, Puente Student Ambassadors Joe Alda and Guadalupe Gomez asked questions regarding the topics addressed. With over 200 colleges using “Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America” in their curriculum, it impacted many Latin youth, including the featured students from Puente. Curiosity sparked many students to ask questions and understand their story of coming to America. 

This event was part of the Equity Speaker Series on campus and was held in the Student Union Conference Center, with refreshments and snacks available. It was sponsored by Puente, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Department of Journalism, and the Department of Ethnic and Social Studies. 

At the end of his talk, González reinforced the importance of breaking past barriers and learning from America’s history. 

“In order for history not to repeat itself, people must learn history first so in the future, people don’t end up building walls instead they should take them down,” González concluded.

The autoethnographic film screened at Los Medanos College for Native American Heritage Month

SCHOOL

Briana Rose of Los Medanos College
30 November 2023

the NOVEMBER newsletter

Los Medanos College hosted a screening of the autoethnographic film, He Told Me The Sky was Blue directed by LMC alumni, Cecilia Mellieon, in honor of Native American Heritage Month on Tuesday, November 14. Mellieon’s film is the product of her dissertation for her anthropology graduate program at San Francisco State University. 

Mellieon proposed the idea of presenting her film at Los Medanos College after attending an event for Indigenous People’s Day at LMC where students and faculty planted indigenous plants in the Nature Preserve. Robert Black, Mellieon’s former classmate who hosted the event, suggested she introduce the idea of screening her film for the first time. 

Mellion’s relatives, friends, and LMC students and staff filled the chairs propped in front of the projected screen that would tell Mellion’s family story. One LMC student, who wished to remain anonymous, attended the screening upon the encouragement of their ethnic studies professor.

“It was a really good film,” said the LMC student. “It was very different in that it wasn’t her perspective at all, but rather the people around her, so she had her children, she had her mother, she had her brother… you could definitely see a more surreal and realistic perspective of the people around her, and I feel it really shaped the whole film, everyone had such a raw emotion, and it was very vulnerable.”

The autoethnographic film included interviews of Mellion’s family as they recounted their experiences living in the Bay Area as Native Americans, specifically, the trauma inflicted upon them growing up in a household with abuse.

“This is our story- this is my family’s story,” said Mellieon. “Who better to tell my family’s story than my family, and so I decided this wasn’t going to be something that I was going to rely on someone else to tell our story.”

Lindsay Litowitz, the Student Life Program Coordinator at Los Medanos brings events, like the ones for Native American Heritage Month, together. As Student Life Program Coordinator, she oversees the clubs at Los Medanos, plans events, and creates spaces where students can build bonds to encourage students to come to school and fulfill their academic goals, through being involved on campus.

“It is important to honor every heritage month, but especially because [Native Americans] represent a smaller community on campus, it’s important for students to see themselves represented in faculty, staff, administration, events we provide, classes we offer- everywhere that we can,” said Litowitz. “A lot of our students are at high risk for dropping out, especially if they don’t have support systems so hopefully hosting these types of events will create a support system if these students don’t have one, and the smaller the community, the more important it is that we create these spaces.”

After the screening, the audience was open to ask Mellieon questions about her film. Some questions concerned her future plans with filmmaking and her dissertation project, while others inquired about the content of the film.

“I think the message that I want to convey is that it’s up to [the viewer’s] interpretation to really see what the film is about but to understand that it’s about Native Americans and it’s about what life is like for us because people don’t really talk about genocide in terms of the U.S. and it’s not something that is readily taught, you have to wait until you’re in college and taking an ethnic studies class to really get that information,” said Mellieon. “For me, it’s a way of showing audiences what cultural genocide has done and it’s important that everyone understands, especially in today’s world where we’re witnessing genocide left and right.” 

As Mellieon finishes her dissertation at San Francisco State, she plans to enter her film into a film festival contest for it to be distributed to the public. However, the screening at Los Medanos College was the film’s first public premiere to give Mellieon the chance to educate others on the Native American experience. As Native American Heritage Month continues, LMC plans to host more events in honor of Native Americans and hopes to expand the types of events they offer for cultural awareness months in the future.

The community honors World Mental Health Day

SCHOOL

Briana Rose of Los Medanos College
30 October 2023

the OCTOBER newsletter

Every year, World Mental Health Day lands on the 10th of October. This year, the theme was “our minds, our rights” acquainting people with the idea that mental health is just as important as physical health. To celebrate the day, Los Medanos College’s Basic Needs Program coordinated its World Mental Health Day event.

Edgar Sanchez, a Basic Needs Program associate, contacted health and mental health organizations in the community to invite them to the event, encouraging them to have a fun and interactive activity planned. Students had the opportunity to interact with organizations in their community and were provided free lunch by LMC’s Marketplace.

“The whole idea is to have activities and events that reduce the stigma of mental health or needing basic needs. We all need something and that’s our job- trying to make the activities and the events or the tabling events fun and interactive,” said Megela Ohare, the Basic Needs Program Coordinator.

At the Marketplace table, Honymiel Montecillo, a Basic Needs Program’s student ambassador, created an activity for students that educated them on the resources available for students. 

“I had an activity where students grab a random letter from a bowl and then whatever letter they get, they need to guess what kind of resources we provide that starts with that letter. I also had little papers that had the hygiene drive that we promote as well as the other basic needs resources that we also provide like the crisis text line and TimelyCare,” said Montecillo.

Through their events and program, Ohare and student ambassadors, like Montecillo, educate and provide students with resources such as: housing, transportation, financial, and food assistance. They also partnered with LMC’s Active Minds Club to promote TimelyCare, a virtual service that provides college students with resources for one’s physical and mental well-being. 

“We know that, in some way, in some capacity, that everyone deals with stress or has some type of mental health issue, and statistics tell us that,” said Ohare. “When you’re a college student, there’s a lot that you’re dealing with, there’s a lot that you’re going through, and our main goal is to reduce the stigma [around mental health and assistance] to let people know that [their] not alone… we don’t have to life or we don’t have to do college alone, that we are connected, we are here together, we’re here to support and just to find whatever resources we can to help alleviate some of that stress and whatever issues that they’re dealing with,” said Ohare.

Ohare was appointed to the position of Basic Needs Program Coordinator last year when the school received funding for the program. In her first year, they were able to expand LMC’s food pantry to the Marketplace by adding a Closed Closet for students to also receive hygiene products. 

“We hope that we can connect more students as the year progresses and we hope that we see a lot of growth on each of those as well as promoting Timely Care and hopefully encourage students to engage in activities we provide that can hopefully [help] them destress,” said Ohare.

Program Coordinator Ohare and student ambassador Montecillo are optimistic for the future of LMC’s Basic Needs Program as they continue to take inventory of student needs and make adjustments accordingly. They only plan to expand from now as they continue their efforts to spread mental health awareness and reduce the stigma of assistance programs. 

For more information, visit LMC’s Basic Needs Program and TimelyCare

LMC President Pamela Ralston expands her passion for learning

SCHOOL

Aliyah Ramirez of Los Medanos College
30 October 2023

the lmc experience

the OCTOBER newsletter

A glimmer of light illuminates the piles of textbooks and homework spread across the kitchen counter as her parents study while her nose is stuck in a book. For Los Medanos College President Pamela Ralston, she has always been surrounded by learning.

After starting a family of their own, Ralston’s parents postponed their college journeys as they were “making ends meet” to pursue an education. Seeing the sacrifices made, Ralston and her sister “both knew that we would go to college.”

Ralston and her sister are very close despite being only a few years apart, and describes her as “one of the greatest heroes of [her] life.” From a young age, she taught Ralston how to read and later inspired her future studies.

Her education began in literature as she studied century texts, autobiographies and slave narratives. Ralston was captivated by the “stories that people told about themselves.”

Earning her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oregon and her Master of Arts and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington in Comparative Literature, Ralston’s education spanned over two decades.

After graduating, Ralston held many administrative positions across university and community colleges as a professor, dean, vice president and president. Her work included curricular redesign, student services program innovation, strategic enrollment and more. Now, her career has taken her outside of the classroom, but she still prioritizes student connections on campus to give purpose to her work.

“I love teaching, and I miss it. So anytime you get a chance to spend time with students, it’s a little bit like getting to be back in the classroom,” Ralston said, adding, “If I get a chance to spend time with students seeing what’s working well, and hearing what’s not working well, it can help me be more open.”

To get to where she is today, Ralston had multiple mentors to build her skill set, and she believes those relationships were an “important part of education.” A factor she keeps in mind is to pay the advice forward.

“I keep learning that I should slow down and listen more. Those are lessons that are important,” Ralston said. “I have come to believe that you have to be the leader you want to have, and waiting sometimes doesn’t make things better.”

Stepping into the permanent president role at Los Medanos College, Ralston became the first female to achieve this milestone. She was aware of not being “quite what everybody thinks the president is going to be” and has adapted to be “seen and heard.” As cabinet leadership has become increasingly diverse across race and gender in the past years, she wants to make sure everyone has a seat at the table to set plans for the future.

“As I’ve matured in my career, sometimes I’m swayed by the strongest argument or loudest voice, and I’ve learned to slow down and spend more time digging in,” Ralston said. “I think it’s important that once you’ve come to a decision that you hold firmly, make sure that you’re able to push a big idea all the way through.”

Months after becoming president, Ralston’s work for the college has been recognized inside and outside the community. Her progress for the school was celebrated by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the 100 most influential women in the Bay Area and recognized for her new role at LMC’s welcome reception.

These experiences motivated her for the future as she was “honored” to see how her work is making an impact and showcasing “how powerful college could be.”

“I have been fortunate to walk into a great environment. I’m coming at a time when we’re working our way back after the pandemic,” Ralston said. “ So my personal investment has been to find more ways to create meaning and connection in person and to support the folks who aren’t in person to have more meaningful connections with the college.”

Ralston holds a very close relationship with her family as they claim education has always been her higher calling. Her parents, Jennifer Ralston Blare and Mike Blare admire her for being “so motivated and so darn smart” and noted she “wants to make a difference.”

“She knows [education] is important in people’s lives and society,” said wife Chris Cummings. “I just love that about her because she lives her values and she values education.”

Ralston and her wife have been together for 14 years, and what started from dances at beach bonfires to celebrating their marriage together is a special memory she holds closely.

“We waited a long time for the Supreme Court to make [same-sex marriage] legal,” Ralston said. “On the day that that came down from the Supreme Court, I asked her to marry me, and we got married almost a year to the day.”

Together, they have traveled to many areas, and given the flexibility of Cummings’ work, she has been able to support Ralston every step of the way.

There has always been a unique aspect of the community college system that has made Raston fall in love. Among the diverse perspectives that make up community college, from students who are beginning, continuing, or finishing their education, she said there is “a lot of power” in creating accessible opportunities.

“It’s a resource we should be deeply invested in,” Ralston said. “When it is out of reach economically for people, we do a huge disservice to them and ourselves in our communities. We try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

As Ralton embarks on a new chapter, she looks forward to making LMC part of everyone’s story.

The class of 2023 steps into adulthood

SCHOOL

Briana Rose of Los Medanos College
30 Aug. 2023

the AUGUST newsletter

After completing 12 years of primary and secondary education, life looks different for everyone once that chapter of one’s life closes. New high school graduates embarking on their journey into adulthood, will experience the inevitable changes and emotions to come along the way. 

Amidst the newness and uncertainty of it all, recent high school graduates share what their futures will look like after high school, and the different routes they’re headed toward. Megan Sun, attending UC Irvine to major in data science, looks forward to the change that college will bring. 

“I knew since I was young that I wanted to go to college, but I never really had a dream college though,” said Sun. “I chose UC Irvine because it was one of the only schools that accepted me because admissions were kind of rough this year and very unpredictable. But I’m happy I chose it because especially being in SoCal, it will be a new environment for me and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Despite the rush of excitement high school graduates experience as they transition to incoming college students, students often express the looming fears and anxieties they encounter with this change. Independence attests to adulthood and attending a four-year institution often means moving far from home, encouraging young adults to embrace a new normal.

In an article published by DePaul University, Noreen Jahan lists “10 Fears Everyone Has in College,” with homesickness marked as number six. Therefore, Sun is not alone when they express the lingering nerves they still have before entering college. 

“Assuming this whole new level of responsibility is nerve-racking because in high school I didn’t have to deal with the responsibility that I will have in college,” said Sun. “I also think I’ll have a hard time adjusting to living so far away from my family because with them living in Brentwood and me living in Irvine, it’s not like they can come to visit me very easily.” 

Taryn Richey, attending Quincy University in Illinois for aviation and to further her soccer career at a collegiate level, expresses similar concerns. 

“I was pretty nervous about being so far from home and having to start over the process of finding new friends. It can certainly be lonely the first few weeks especially when your family can’t see you all the time because you’re 30 hours away,” said Richey. “The biggest adjustment for me is going to be navigating the world on my own now that I’m living without my parents and I have to be practical about what I buy.” 

However, not all graduates choose to attend a 4-year institution right out of high school. Despite their initial acceptances into Sacramento State University and San Jose State University, Kendall Eichler, encouraged by their parents, opted to enroll in community college at Los Medanos College. There, Eichler plans to pursue studio art or journalism and take classes that will further enhance their photography skills with the end goal of later transferring to a 4-year college. 

“I chose LMC because I applied to Sac State and San Jose. I got in and then I had a little moment where I was like ‘I don’t know how I feel about it’ so I chose community [college] much to my parents’ liking. My mom works for the CCCC district so she was trying to get me to go,” said Eichler.

Eichler stresses the importance of college in the face of being told by peers that it’s not necessary for the career path they choose. 

“Every photographer I’ve ever talked to is like, ‘I didn’t go to school, I just did it on my own’ and I’m like ‘Well yeah’ but I still think it’s important to go to college,” said Eichler.

As many of these recent high school graduates demonstrated, life presents many choices, some more serious than others. After eighteen, young adults embark upon adulthood and all the minor to major challenges that come to be.  Some choose to go to college as a way to kick-start their future while others experiment with pathways that do not involve college. Nevertheless, it’s essential to embrace the ever-changing world of adulthood and its unpredictability.

‘Mean Girls’ adapts into a high school version

SCHOOL

Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
30 Mar. 2023

the MARCH newsletter

“Mean Girls” is an iconic teen movie from the 2000s, based on the book, “Queen Bees and Wannabes,” by Rosalind Wiseman, which dives into the dynamics and hierarchies within high schools. In 2018, “Mean Girls” was adapted into a Broadway musical, and most recently the rights to the high school adaptation have been sold.

Heritage was one of the first schools to purchase the rights to the high school adaptation, and held showings from opening night on Feb. 24, to their last show on March 11. The musical follows the life of Cady Heron, played by Hannah Foriege (11), a girl who moves from being homeschooled in Africa to high school in America.

Cady befriends two people upon her arrival, Janis Ian, played by Danaliese Hom (11), and Damien, played by David Armstrong (11), two outcasts in the school, who teach Cady about the differing cliques. The Plastics are a group of 3 teen girls who rule the school, with their leader Regina George, played by Kaleigha Le’vae (11).

As Cady becomes accustomed to the school, Janis and Damien recruit Cady to take down the Plastics from the inside; however, she begins to lose sight of herself and mimic their behaviors. She stops focusing on her interests and starts focusing on boys, specifically Aaron Samuels, Regina’s ex-boyfriend, played by Charlie Blaise (10), leading to a whirlwind of conflict between the Plastics, Cady and the entire school.

Kaleigha Le’vae, the actress who played Regina George, the school’s “Queen-bee,” reveals the struggle of playing a character who directly contrasted her own personality.

“Regina held power in a way that I never had. She expected people to follow her like lost puppies because she knew everyone would,” said Le’vae. “I was struggling because I felt awful to expect such things from people… I would be apologizing for treating them so awfully.”

However, playing a villain or mean character doesn’t only have downsides because there is a newfound sense of confidence the actor gains.

“The way she let insults fly out of her mouth relentlessly, was such a shift as well. She was a difficult adjustment, but I think when I got the hang of it, I began to love it,” said Le’vae. “I loved the confidence and the stride it gave me.”

Not only does Mean Girls empower the actors, but it also accurately portrays high school life in a realistic way that the audiences can relate to. The musical depicted multiple issues that teens go through daily, from body image issues to bullying and its effects.

Averi Millward (11), a member of props, addresses the making of the elaborate props and her opinions of the musical.

“Making the props was just like any other show, but this one will be one I’ll always remember,” said Millward. “We spent a lot of time crafting and cultivating the objects the actors use on stage, and it wasn’t easy, but we got to spend a lot of time with the actors and enjoy the shows for what they were.”

The crew is equally essential to ensure the show runs smoothly. Props would remain on the stage wings and be passed to the characters, precisely when they needed them to perform.

“I think the musical was a great choice and was a great way to open the eyes of many to what high school can be like nowadays,” said Millward.

“Mean Girls” is a pop culture essential with an elaborate storyline that millions can identify with. The musical depicts the highs and lows of high school in a humorous way. The “Mean Girls” adaptation will be one of the many memorable musicals shown by Heritage High School.

Understanding the importance of counseling in schools

SCHOOL

Muskaan Adeel of Los Medanos College
30 Jan. 2023

the JANUARY newsletter

School counselors allow all students an opportunity to optimize their performance and well-being. For education systems to create a welcoming environment for their students, they must implement counseling–a system that will acknowledge them well beyond their worth in the classroom.

Essential to a school’s support system, counselors provide adequate expertise and resources to all students and their pressing issues. Engaging with students individually and collaborating with mental health specialists establishes an atmosphere to promote healthy learning and growth.

Penn State University students conducted a study to see the withdrawal rates of students after meeting with a counselor. According to the research, results show 51% of students are less likely to withdraw from school when provided comprehensive mental health support services on college campuses, which is critical to promoting student achievement.

“The report found several protective factors that reduced the risk of withdrawal from school, including improvement in depression, anxiety, and general distress… during services,” reported Penn State’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health.

Furthermore, school counselors cover multiple aspects of student life, from college and career, to academic development, as well as social and emotional help. Counseling motivates students to speak up when they are in need of assistance. It is by far, one of the best outlets for students who are afraid of voicing their struggles in more public settings.

One of the most significant concerns counselors deal with is bullying; more particularly, cyberbullying. Today’s generation of students is now reliant on technology for building their social circle and receiving others’ validation, increasing the risk of experiencing online scrutiny.

Boise State University Counselors for Social Justice Student Group has assisted in implementing a bullying intervention program. Their program, STAC, teaches students to act as ‘defenders’ for those experiencing bullying.

“STAC stands for the four bullying intervention strategies: ‘Stealing the Show,’ ‘Turning it Over,’ ‘Accompanying Others,’ and ‘Coaching Compassion,’” stated Boise State University.

In these one-on-one sessions, students build problem-solving skills to help them cope with hate.

Schools hold a vital role in bringing out the best in their students. The prioritization of mental health is essential, but sometimes young brains require guidance to polish their individuality and better understand their feelings. Counseling will teach students to resolve emotional conflict and handle personal concerns, all led by the value of advice.

Chamber Choir’s Winter Concert

SCHOOL

Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
30 Dec. 2022

the DECEMBER newsletter

On Dec. 13, 2022, the 15-student choir sang four songs from “The Lake” and “Tinig Ng Maralita,” a Tagalog piece. The concert occurred in Heritage High School’s theater and was one of the chamber choir’s yearly events.

The chamber choir not only sang in unison but also managed the difficulty of singing in a different language while staying on key with their peers. They prevailed through a tight schedule throughout November and December and combined their voices to create a story.

Every member of the choir must adhere to their assigned part while also bringing a sense of singularity to their vocal styles. Sofia Santos (11), an experienced soprano of the chamber choir, discusses the preparations that the show took. The students had to work around a tight schedule to prepare for a winter concert close to the end of the October showcase and district chamber festival.

“We immediately dove into practice and preparation for our winter concert,” said Santos. “Practicing my assigned part was fairly simple and listening to the original audio of the song I was practicing, was key to understanding the balance needed for the song itself.”

Immersing oneself into the song and lyrics are the necessary steps a member must take to perfect their role in the choir. Each member is responsible for their piece, and the show’s success depends on teamwork and proper representations of the singing styles within the group.

However, getting up on stage is not simple, even for experienced members. Many tend to forget the vulnerability of performing, especially in a high-pressure setting where there is dependence on each other and an overwhelming desire for love and acceptance from the audience.

Kaleigha Le’vae (11), another chamber choir member, sheds light on her experience while in the spotlight.

“Performing on stage is like having the world see you for what you are for the first time. I’m blessed to be loved and accepted by peers and loved ones,” said Le’vae. “Being on a stage is just so exhilarating; the adrenaline pumping in me and my heart racing to get to the end and hear cheers.”

Opening up to the judgment and vulnerability of performing on a stage is frightening, even after performing in multitudes of shows. Although, performing with rawness and sensibility allows connections with the audience to the show.

Show after show, the chamber choir members create stronger bonds with each other. While they may not remember how to read sheet music in a couple of years, they won’t forget the bonds and laughter shared within the club that pushed them through the hard years of high school.

Le’vae elaborates on her experience in the chamber choir. “Last year, the seniors left some big shoes to fill. They brought so much joy into the choir that I never thought I could experience. To this day, I try to emulate them. I’m blessed to be a leader and a part of this program.”

The chamber choir creates a key aspect of each member’s high school memories. Shared preparation, close-knit bonds and the duality of their unique voices show the commitment to the audience and the success of the winter choir concert.

Winterball Wonderland

SCHOOL

Sophia Schiemann of Heritage High School
30 Dec. 2022

Photo Credits : Braeden Migay

the DECEMBER newsletter

Heritage High School hosted its annual Winter Ball for all students on Dec. 9, 2022, from 7-10 p.m., in its cafeteria. Hundreds of eager students stood in lines outside, waiting to join their peers in all the fun. For many, this was their first Winter Ball after the pandemic impacted school-sanctioned activities in the years before.

“I’ve never been to a winter dance before, specifically because the last couple of times they’ve been canceled due to COVID-19,” said Muskan Ahmadi (12). “So this year, as a senior, I decided to try it out. I went with my friends and took pictures before at the Tunnels of Joy in Brentwood.”

Food vendors also catered to the students, including Groovy Gorditas and Villas Tacos, specializing in Mexican cuisine. Students crowded around the food trucks, tired from the hours of dancing, looking to replenish their energy with a tasty bite to eat. Along with the food, trucks also served hot chocolate to keep everyone warm from the cold.

This dance was full of memories with lots of dancing, eating and snapping photo memories to reminisce in the future. From the decorations and activities available for students, many found the night a memorable way to end their final semester.

“The music was better and the environment was better,” said Kianna Farinas (12). “The decorations were super festive and the photo booth was super fun to take pictures of my friends and me to commemorate our special night.”

A crucial part of dance comes from energetic music to get everyone in the right mood. As the music played throughout the night, the dance gave a chance for those who weren’t so comfortable before, to step out of their bubble and shine whenever they chose to.

“The DJ at the dance was better than the DJ at homecoming, but since I have really bad social anxiety I wasn’t a big dancer,” said Mikael Ramirez (12). “I decided to take a break outside and my friends followed we all got hot chocolate to drink before going back in.

Many students saw the Heritage Winter Ball as the best of the year. It was a fun night filled with loud music, numerous activities, and tasty food. To memorialize their night, students got to gather their group of friends and enjoy the final dance of the school year.

Heritage’s play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

SCHOOL

Emma Reynolds of Heritage High School
30 Oct. 2022

the OCTOBER newsletter

Bravo to the Heritage High School Rising Stars with their performance of the Shakespeare comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Throughout September and October showings, the Rising Stars diligently tried to execute the intricacy of this Shakespearian comedy. The hard-working cast and crew left the audience with an uplifting impact and an inspiring message.

Kaleigha Le’vae (11), playing the character Dogberry in the show, expressed the difficulties that the Rising Stars overcame.

“Shakespeare has so much complexity to understand, and it took every actor a long time to really understand in-depth about what he is saying and how the character must be feeling in that moment,” explained Le’vae. “It was definitely a process, and the crew continued to work super hard to put this production on; even while the actors struggled, the crew was there in the back being patient with us. This show was a ton of work, but it all paid off.”

To showcase a successful play, every member of the program must contribute. Even with challenges along the way, the Rising Stars cooperated with one another to perform. Alexandra Pecenka (11), the head of the props crew and part of the running crew, expanded on the influence that these difficulties left on the cast and crew.

“This show was definitely a learning experience for everyone involved and really showed everyone that it’s better to be together and helped us understand the importance of a good attitude,” said Pecenka.

Overall, the process benefited every part of the show: the cast, the crew, and the performance. Through the efforts of every involved member, the play reflected the complexity of Shakespeare.

With the elements of a Shakespeare comedy, the Rising Stars were able to add a unique flair to their performance, leaving the audience entertained. Madison Dismuke (11), the stage manager, described the stylistic additions to the play.

“The more modern adaptation and Shakespearean speech is something you couldn’t experience in a modern-day play or a normal Shakespeare one,” said Dismuke. “Because of this fresh take on it, I think the play is much more entertaining.”

Focusing on details during a performance can intensify a show and fill the audience

with delight and amusement. Le’vae considered more moments, such as the delivery of her lines, that had an engaging influence on the audience.

“You have really serious moments in which you are just on the edge of your seat, but it never gets too serious,” said Le’vae. “You always end up having a bit of a laugh at the end.”

The effort into the play allowed the audience to be entranced by the show. Influentially, every aspect of the performance impacted the audience. Dismuke describes the emotion the audience feels after the show.

“There were parts to laugh during, aww at and discuss the scandals taking part after the show had finished. I think to put it simply, the play was deeply enjoyable,” explained Dismuke.

Heritage’s Rising Stars not only put on an amusing show for the audience but also left them with an inspiring message. Le’vae expressed the important theme of the play that impacted the audience.

“Honestly, I believe this show taught everyone a lot of love and silly drama,” said Le’vae. “Forgiving one for their wrongs and their flaws, while also recognizing their strengths and all their beauty. One can create lies and slander someone, but love always finds its way.”

Ultimately, Heritage High School’s Rising Stars put out a show filled with Shakespeare’s entertaining, complex style that enlivened and inspired the audience!