April 30, 2019
By Kelli Gile, WVUSD Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA—The 2nd annual Arts Showcase and STEAM Exhibit held Saturday featured students from all grade levels in celebration of the premier arts education offered in Walnut Valley USD.
Thousands of students joined the all-day extravaganza on April 27 with performances in instrumental and vocal ensembles, commercial music, film, drama, dance, visual, and media arts.
In addition, robotics, 3D printing, video game design, and computer assisted design (CAD) demonstrations were featured in a STEAM maker’s fair.
Students were excited to share their talents from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on several stages around the Walnut High campus.
The Concert Hall in the gymnasium featured performances by elementary bands, orchestras, and middles school bands.
Chaparral Middle School kicked off the event with 300 musicians from the combined orchestras taking the stage under the direction of Greg Rochford.
In the arts festival finale, the combined Diamond Bar and Walnut High orchestras were joined by vocalists of all ages in a moving performance of“America the Beautiful.”
South Pointe choir members Maddie Hui, Bethany Vitale, and Kaylee Motus were featured soloists during “When You Believe.”
“I loved the experience!” said choir teacher Robin Wadsworth of her middle school students performing with elementary and high school vocalists.
“Several parents commented that they were so grateful their children were a part of it!”
In the Performing Arts Center, drama, dance, and choirs from every level took the stage throughout the day.
Walnut High’s improv drama troop had the theater audience roaring with laughter as they created impromptu eight-minute scenes.
In the outdoor stage, Walnut High’s intermediate and advanced jazz bands performed Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine and several other classics, while Diamond Bar High’s commercial music program rocked out with songs like “Centuries” by the Fall Out Boys and the Thompson Twins’ “Hold Me Now.”
Diamond Bar High’s Sprocket robotics team members invited visitors of all ages to control the arm and score balls in a goal using the 2019 competition robot in the STEAM Exhibit.
Guests took turns driving another robot in circles and infinity loops while giving high fives to family members.
In workshops, children got hands-on experience building mousetrap cars and miniature hydraulic arms created with syringes.
They learned the basics of engineering principles, such as momentum and movement through hydraulics,” said Sprocket’s captain, Jessica Yen.
Another display offered visitors the opportunity to have their name laser engraved onto small tokens right before their eyes.
“By the end of the event, we had created over 60 tokens,” Yen reported.
“We loved being at the event to inspire our community!”
South Pointe’s Robotics Club and PLTW Engineering classes displayed a robotic arm, dragsters, Autocad fidget cube drawings, and playgrounds made with the Autodesk Inventor program.
Students shared VEX and VEX IQ robots and some of the competition challenges they faced.
“For example, VEX IQ stacked Hubs cylinder-shaped elements and maneuvered the bots to hang on a pole, while the VEX teams flipped caps and shot balls in a specific color,” said teacher Crystal Dira.
One of the school’s robotics teams, Team Tinkercat 87895A, exhibited a Build Award, Excellence Award, and Sportsmanship Award earned at the State Competition.
“These students have truly set the bar high and served as a wonderful example for future South Pointe Robotics teams by their dedication and ability to work hard and cohesively as a team,” said teacher Crystal Dira.
The Open Mic outdoor stage featured individual and small groups, and a World Dance workshop led by the Aman dance educators who taught 10-week dance sessions to all WVUSD third graders this year.
The Art Cellar held in the orchestra rehearsal hall featured student visual art from all grade levels and a screening room featured student films and Claymation projects.
Students collaborated on an outdoor community art wall, added doodling and messages on a graffiti banner, and joined a rock painting activity based on the book “Only One You.”
Special thanks to lead VAPA teachers Corey Wicks and Leslie Schroerlucke and all the teachers, students, parents, staff, and administrators that participated and made the day such a success.
Shown:
Elementary music teacher James Mast conducts combined band groups.
WVUSD elementary students join Arts Showcase on April 27.
Walnut High jazz band performs during Arts Showcase on April 27.
A STEAM Exhibit features robotics, 3D printing, video game design, and computer assisted design (CAD) demonstrations.
Diamond Bar High’s Sprocket robotics team offers hands-on experience building mousetrap cars and miniature hydraulic arms.
Walnut High’s improv students perform during the WVUSD Arts Showcase.
Fun for all ages! Quail Summit Elementary Principal Frances Weissenberger joins students at a collaborate art wall.
The Arts Cellar featured student work of all ages.
Students join art activities during the WVUSD Arts Showcase on April 27.
Diamond Bar High’s commercial students rock out with Chaparral students during the WVUSD Arts Showcase.
Diamond Bar High’s commercial music students take the outdoor stage.
Suzanne Middle School drama students perform songs from Dear Evan Hanson.
South Pointe band teacher Susan Willmering conducts during the Arts Showcase.
Combined elementary choirs take the stage under the direction of Greta Davis.
Chaparral Middle School choir members ready to take the stage.
Corey Wicks conducts Arts Showcase finale with combined Diamond Bar and Walnut High orchestras and choir members of all ages.