Editor’s note: On Tuesday, March 12, nearly 200 students from throughout high schools in the Anaheim Unified High School District visited Cypress College to participate in a myriad of workshops ranging from journalism, media art design, and art to music, dance, and photography.
The series of stories below were reported and written by high school students in the journalism workshop and contributed to The Cypress Chronicle about the day’s events.
(03/12/24) Cypress College – HS Arts Day – Students gathered on the second floor of the FASS building to learn about different art techniques. Photo by Ashley Rego
Drawing into College
STORY BY Marian Cruz, Nathalie Zamora, Addie Zuschlag, Jordan Tilmon
Special to the Chronicle
On March 12, schools from the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) gathered at Cypress College to celebrate the diverse programs of the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA).
This program has reached many students throughout the district to obtain knowledge on chosen career pathways.
Programs such as Arts, Music, Photography, ceramics, dance, Journalism, and Theater showcased their specialized workshops. The Arts department allowed the students to draw a live model while receiving feedback from professor and chairman of art illustration Donivan Howard.
“I illustrated for Disney on projects like Fantasia 2000, Emperor’s New Groove, Mulan, Tarzan, and a whole bunch of other stuff,” Howard said.
Liya Legesse is a Senior at Cypress High, who has always been interested in the arts. Legesse was among the twenty-three students who attended the art workshop.
“I’ve been interested in it honestly since I was very young,” Legesse said. “I came to the program because it is something I’m interested in doing in the future.”
High School Students Explore Music at Cypress College
STORY BY Luis Alvarez, Matilda Laureano, Raya Anderson, Alize Martinez
Special to The Chronicle
On March 12, students of the Anaheim Union High School District took to Cypress College to partake in the high school arts experience which explores Visual and Performing Arts, also known as VAPA, programs provided on campus.
The music department at Cypress has a variety of categories such as guitar, vocal, band, and more.
Students were allowed to interact with professors and ask questions about programs that are offered. These courses allow students to utilize instruments to learn more about music.
The AUHSD office has gained more interest within the music department. According to the AUHSD arts director.
Scott Dominguez said, “The recent programs that have been added are mariachi and some traditional music.” These new programs may allow students to discover the type of music that adds to their creativity.
The environment of the workshops made the students feel at ease, with professors offering light-hearted humor and encouragement from their surrounding peers.
After an informative lesson on their pathway, students can feel more confident about continuing it beyond high school.
(03/12/24) Cypress College – HS Arts Day – Students were put in groups in the theater building and began doing improv on a subject that was given by another group. Photo by Lizbeth Alvarez
Improv Helps Students Learn Acting Skills Through Various Emotions
STORY BY Cazzandra Mendoza, Ayanna Rae Briones, Orlando Martillano, and Adam Hawari
Special to The Chronicle
On March 12, the Cypress College Fine Arts Department hosted the Anaheim Union High School District for High School Experience Day. The event included workshops from each department including, art, media art design, dance, photography, music, journalism, and theater.
Twenty-eight high school students participated in an improv workshop “Be the CEO of Funny” taught by Professor Todd Brainard, an adjunct faculty member at Cypress College.
The activity was held in the Theater Arts building. Brainard focused on teaching students different acting styles, including improv.
Students were given a prompt to improv, they were required to act as though they were greeting someone they hadn’t seen in a long time. Allowing them to learn to equate energy with emotion, such as using “cover” with emotion which helps when actors forget lines. They gathered in a circle taking turns acting out the prompt.
The improv room was a black room with leveled chairs facing the stage. The room consisted of props such as doors and cubes, giving the room a wooden scent. The atmosphere in the room was very lighthearted, students were visibly enjoying the workshop, and learning to receive constructive criticism.
High School Students Get a Brief Look Into College Film
STORY BY Veronica Ayoub, Sarah Tremblay, Jacob Chavira, and Hunter Villegas
Special to The Chronicle
Media Art Design is one of the Visual and Performing Arts programs at Cypress College that was involved with the High School Experience Day on Tuesday, March 12.
The film room was filled with dedicated high school students engrossed in the world of film. The individual leading the activity was explaining and leading students through the aspects that go into filmmaking.
He explained the roles that the students were filling for them to create a compelling project. The roles included microphone operation, camera operation, acting, using a slate, and exploring how to incorporate everything into making a film.
The students were working as a unit, using their collaboration skills to create the product. Students displayed the duality of film and the variety of tasks that are involved in the film process.
Students were moving the camera and sound equipment around to fit the shot as they went down the shotlist they created before filming. Their organization was tight yet still allowed their flexibility to show as they pitched ideas for scenes to make them unique and personal.
