"Taste the Nations" from a Student’s Perspective

“Taste the Nations” preparation begins months before the event. The grades choose a country to represent in a dance- these almost always tie in with end session or some other event that has inspired us during the year. For example, the seventh grade represented Iceland, which is a travel option during end session this year. They then go to work practicing and perfectecting the dance. “For two months, we rehearsed every Tuesday for two hours. As ‘Taste the Nations’ drew closer, we rehearsed a few Thursdays as well.” said a grade seven student. “Not only is there the dance practice, but the writing and rehearsing of the introduction speech.”

It’s a lot of work, but we, the students, recognize the importance of it. Firstly, it is for a grade. Secondly, we care about our school, and so we do our best to represent it. Not only do we care about our school, but the opportunities of the people in it. The money raised from “ Taste the Nations” goes toward end session scholarships- because the end session traveling options cost a lot, the school makes an effort to have all the students travel once throughout their period at school. It is an amazing experience- one every student deserves to try.

Thursday Theater with Ms. Christensen

A note from Ms. Christensen:

theater photo.jpg

I had a wonderful time with these students!!! They catch on really fast and are enthusiastic!

I did mention that there is optional homework this week. 

If appropriate for each individual family, I told them to watch one or all of the following:

  • •Newsies (on Netflix) for the song “seize the day”

  • •Annie for the song “it’s a hard knock life”

  • •The greatest showman for the song “This is me”.

We’ll be working on those songs with scene work and choreography and hopefully present them in a final performance.

Karen Gauriloff takes 3rd place in the congressional arts competition

Karen Gauriloff - 3rd Place

Karen Gauriloff - 3rd Place

Congratulations to PGIA Junior, Karen Gauriloff, for taking 3rd place in VICA's Congressional Arts Competition held this month.  Syna Sharma, PGIA 9th grade, also had two pieces entered in the competition.  The works entered in this competition were top notch.  Kudos to these young ladies and PGIA Arts Teacher Ms. Ferguson for making the effort to represent VIMSIA and the PGIA in this quality event.

Syna Sharma

Syna Sharma

Syna with reception hosts

Syna with reception hosts

Syna Sharma

Syna Sharma

On the "Road to the Oscars"

From dreams of space and NASA's impact on our lives to the search for a local legend, production is in full swing for the "Making Short Films" end session. 

Students have spent the first half of the course developing their ideas, writing screen plays, memorizing lines and creating production plans. They have also begun filming and learning about camera angles, lighting, sound design and creating voice overs.

We are now in the process post production, editing and shooting final components in preparation for project premiers next week!

- Mr. Williams, Mrs. Bump & the Short Film Students.