Page 13 - Reedley Exponent 6-7-18 E-edition

St. La Salle CRUSADERS News
Jefferson Zumbathon
Contributed
Registration Now Open
St. La Salle now is accept- ing registration for preschool through eighth grade. Regis- ter for preschool in May and June, and the registration fee will be waived.
We invite you to let your child grow with us. We be- lieve a Catholic school edu- cation is the most important gift you will give your child. At St. La Salle, we foster knowledge, faith and service in our students, and they can explore many life paths. We want students to use their God-given talents to the fullest later in life, to serve the church and community and make the world a better
RHS BAND
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ably one of the greatest ex- periences I’m ever going to carry with me.”
The rare opportunity with Hisaishi can be com- pared to the entire Pirate Marching Band’s participa- tion in the 2000 edition of the famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.
But the short time frame for the San Jose concerts posed a musical and logisti- cal challenge.
Symphony Silicon Valley, considered the greater South Bay’s premiere orchestra, ex- tended the invitation on May 15. And the symphony would pay for all the expenses.
The connection came through Caitlin Gipson, wife of Sam Gipson, one of the marching band direc- tors. Caitlin’s uncle, Andrew Bales, is general director of Symphony Silicon Valley.
The RHS Symphonic Band has earned an exem- plary reputation. The en- semble, under the direction of Daniel Paulsen, who’s also a marching band director, earned another unanimous Superior rating at the an- nual CMEA Large Group Music Festival in March. In fact, Paulsen has said this school year’s group is one of the best he’s led in his years at Reedley High.
Once the invitation was accepted, Gipson said the group and directors had to compress what usually takes weeks of planning into a tight time frame. And that also in- cluded hours of rehearsals to learn Hisaishi’s melodies.
“It was difficult planning that big and long of a trip in a week,” Gipson said. “We usually have months to do those things and plan ahead. But taking the smaller group and having the symphonic kids, they did really well with listening to the plan and fol- lowing it and knowing what to do.”
The students, he said, un- derstood the professionalism needed for such a top-level event. And, many of them are fans and admirers of anime, which includes productions from Studio Ghibli. Gipson said the young musicians were totally attentive and quiet during the rehearsal with Hisaishi and showed him respect.
Heidi Harris, a sopho- more who plays flute, has performed at the San Jose venue as part of the CMEA All-State Junior High Sym- phonic Band. She understood the immensity of the under- taking. “If I’m being honest, I thought we were crazy,” she said. “Pulling it off in a week
place.
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St. La Salle
Summer Camp
Our Summer Camp will
be open to all St. La Salle School students and young- sters ages 4-12 in the St. An- thony of Padua parish.
It is open now and run- ning through Friday, July 27.
was something we knew was going to be a challenge, but everyone worked so hard.
“Once we got there and we had a rehearsal with him, it’s like ‘We can do this.’”
Harris also said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experi- ence. She said professional musicians work years and decades “to do something like this.” She added: “It’s by far the best trip I’ve ever had.”
In addition to Gipson and Paulsen, other Kings Canyon Unified School District mu- sic leaders who performed with the students were Lisa Dewhirst and Jason Awbrey, who also are RHS band di- rectors; Corey Dobbins, the Pirate band percussion tech; and Elizabeth Hull, a Visual and Performing Arts tech. Also, Erik Dewhirst, Lisa’s husband, performed with the group. He teaches music in the Clovis Unified School District.
“It's really worth it because we're never going to be able to do something like this again ...”
– Jackie Avila, RHS senior and member of the Symphonic Band
One more aspect added to the experience – the Reed- ley musicians got to wear the RHS Pirate Marching Band uniforms. And, yes, that in- cluded the directors and Dobbins, Erik Dewhirst and Hull. A smiling Gipson said the last time he wore a band uniform was when he was a Reedley High student.
For RHS seniors in the ensemble, the sudden invita- tion at the end of the school year prompted making a choice. For seniors, it’s a time of gatherings and events, cel- ebrating their four years at RHS.
Spencer Boling, who was in percussion, said before the trip that “it was hard for me at first because this was such short notice. We’re going to miss our last day of school and our senior lunch. I’m going to miss my track [and field] party, so I won’t get to see my track friends for the last time.”
But he embraced the op- portunity: “Definitely spend- ing a few more days with the people in band, these are the fun people, the crazy ones, the ones who understand you.”
Senior Jackie Avila, also in percussion, agreed.
“This actually means a lot to me,” she said, before
This year, the Vacation Bible Camp program theme is “To- tally Catholic: Shipwrecked, Rescued by Jesus.” Young- sters will discover a true friendship with Jesus, and they will feel comfortable to lower their defenses and allow Jesus to do his work. This action-filled camp will be packed with games, ex- periments, songs and plays to reinforce the message that Jesus’s love for them will never end.
Summer Office Hours
The office will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Dates to Remember
• June 11 – Summer School starts
the Symphonic Band de- parted for San Jose. “I have to give up a lot of things that I’ll be missing this weekend to be able to go on this trip. But, overall, it’s really worth it because we’re never going to be able to do something like this again, to actually be conducted by the person who made the music.
“It’s just amazing, so I’m really excited about it. I think it’s a great end to my senior year.”
The RHS musicians not only had to learn the music but the formation to enter the performing arts audito- rium and take their places along the walls and in front of the stage. They also had to contend with what someone nicknamed the “Dr. Seuss Stairs” leading into the vast room. Each step was a differ- ent height and length.
A video posted on You- Tube by Jackie Gonzalez re- corded one of the concert ap- pearances. It shows the RHS Symphonic Band performing and enthusiastically applaud- ed by the audience. It also shows Hisaishi, at the end of Reedley’s segment, extend- ing his arms to acknowledge the performance and then raising his hands to applaud.
During the segment, Booth was on stage and then in the audience to conduct the Symphonic Band. At the rehearsal, she said, Hi- saishi worked so well with the Reedley group “and said exactly what he wanted.” Harris described him as “so kind” and “so nice.”
“It was a really wonder- ful experience working with him,” Booth said. “I was so grateful for the opportunity.”
The students’ parents were just as appreciative of the experience for their chil- dren. Some accompanied the group. Jennifer Callahan said a few parents, herself includ- ed, became emotional: “The pure joy that was present in that moment was priceless. Once in a lifetime.”
And, Callahan said she sent a text to her daughter, Rhianen, who is in the Sym- phonic Band, to let them all know: “I’m sure I speak for all the parents who came to help this weekend, we are honored to have spent this time with all of you. We are so proud of your hard work and how well you all did this weekend. Thank you very much. We have a great bunch of kids. Pirate Band Rocks!”
Photo Contributed
Jefferson Elementary School recently was the site for a Zumbathon put on by the Champion Moms of Reedley, a folkloric dance group. More than 60 people (with more than 100 tickets sold) came to the school to participate in the April 20 event that was held for two hours. Raffle prizes also were part of the happening.
Proceeds from the Zumbathon will help the Champion Moms, who want to purchase new folkloric dresses. The Moms are a constant supporter of the community and perform their folkloric dances at a variety of events.
Zumba is a popular exercise fitness program that combines dance and aerobics with energetic music. It was created by Alberto "Beto" Perez, a Colombian dancer and choreographer.
Last KCHS rally for 2017-18
Kings Canyon High School on May 24 held its final atten- dance rally for the 2017-18 school year. The school holds at least four rallies each academic year as part of its incen- tives to students to focus on their educations and futures. Each rally features prizes. To be eligible, students must maintain a high attendance rate.
The longtime supporters of the rallies are the Educational Employees Credit Union, Mike and Cindy Wooden, and other members of the community. The prizes typically include gift baskets and gift cards. Refreshments also are served.
The May 24 winners were Jesus Beaz, Alejandro Botello, Christopher Calderon, Shayanna Cooper, Aleena diaz, daniel diaz Romero, Andrea Garcia, Xzavier Garcia, Adam Gonzalez, Esmeralda Hernandez-Ambrocio, Luis Hernandez-duarte.
Alan Lara, Angel Luviano-Lopez, Alexis Medina, Marco Mendiola-Anguiano, Jonathan Muniz-Ocejo, daniela Murillo-Galvan, Alfonso Ochoa, Karina Padilla, Carmela Perez, Jose Pulido, Pedro Rodriguez, Ysmael Valencia, Jacklyn Valenzuela, Jessica Vargas and Giovanni Villa.
LEFT: Giovanni Villa won a laptop computer donated by the Educational Employees Credit Union.
Photo Contributed
Reedley Library begins summer programs
Happy Birthday
Carolyn Sue Preheim
June 8, 1950 - July 3, 2017
To my one and only love.
“PRIME RIB” From 4:30 p.m. till it lasts!
The Reedley Exponent B5 Thursday, June 7, 2018 Youth & Education
Open 6 a.m.to 10 p.m. 910 North Alta, Dinuba • 591-2122
Staff Report
The Reedley Library is starting its series of summer activities and programs.
On Tuesday, June 11, the library will host "Travel Ac- tionary" at 4 p.m. It's for teens and tweens.
Using drawing, acting and sculpting skills, the game is like a combination of Piction- ary, Charades and Sculption- ary.
The library is at 1027 E St. On Wednesday, June 13,
the library will present magi- cian Tim Mannix.
The program will begin at 10 a.m. This is a family friendly show that "combines comedy with mind-boggling magic.
Please call the library to register for this free event. The number is (559) 638-2818.
Meanwhile, the library – as part of the Fresno County Public Library system – will offer a variety of other events in the coming weeks.
The Exponent's Panor- rama section will have more information about those pro- grams in the June 14 edition.
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