Downey Arts Coalition supports next generation of artists with scholarships

May was a busy month for the Downey Arts Coalition (DAC).

DAC is a small group of visual and performing arts professionals and advocates who volunteer to create arts experiences and opportunities in the underserved community of Downey.

May is the month when DAC presents scholarships to the three local high schools. DAC joined in honoring these seniors in special community celebrations.

The one skill that lies at the heart of healthy organizations and communities is the ability to see young people in the community deeply, and make them feel seen. To let them feel valued, heard, and understood.

Thats what was happening at each of the scholarship awards to DUSD’s Columbus High School, Downey High School, and Warren High School. Kudos to the counselors, the administrators, teachers, and the entire staff that made these happen.

The DAC scholarship recipients have overcome obstacles and demonstrated potential. Their selection is a testament to their achievements and to their personal attributes.

Joining me in presenting the DAC scholarships were DAC Board President Pat Gil, and Board Members Ronny Flores and Anthony Hernandez.

COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL

Columbus High School Principal Ortiz greeted students, families, and scholarship presenters personally in the CHS parking lot as they arrived. Inside the hall was packed as they had dinner together.

DAC board members first met Dr. Ortiz about a year ago when both she and the Downey Arts Coalition received the Mayor’s Excellence Award from Mayor Mario Trujillo for their contributions to the community. At that time, DAC made a commitment to include Columbus High School in their annual scholarships to local high schools.

In addition to their scholarships, the recipients received a specially designed bracelet to inspire them on their new journey.

ALLAN AGUILAR

A world of opportunity awaits Allan Aguilar whose main goal is to go to college where he can pursue his passion for music. That is not impossible for him because he has already gained some experience, he is dedicated, and he has a strong work ethic.

TOBIN MOORMAN

Tobin Moorman received a Character Counts Award, a Baseball MVP Award, and had the discipline and dedication to play baseball for 14 years. His goal is to attend Long Beach Community College to study Computer Science, and eventually to be able to develop video games.

DOWNEY HIGH SCHOOL

The green room of the Downey Theatre, where the scholarship presenters gathered, was abuzz with excitement.

Principal Tom Houts gave a warm and sincere welcome to the audience. Rudy Ojeda was the moderator.

In addition to the scholarship, Downey and Warren students received a special journal and a pen as inspirational for their new journey.

AME GARCIA

Ame Garcia says, “Art is a form of communication that goes beyond traditional and cultural boundaries. Art has allowed me to explore different perspectives and experiences from around the world. Creating art allows me to push the limits of my imagination, as well as expand my abilities”. Amie plans to attend community college and pursue an education in the visual arts, with a goal to use art as a voice for social change.

CADENCE BRAMLETT

Some of us have had the privilege of seeing Candence Bramlett perform in Chris Nelson’s DHS Drama Department productions. She plans on attending a four-year college. Her goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts for Musical Theater, to work in theater and to become a high school theater teacher.

ALEXIS AVILA

Alexis Avila’s vision is to become a filmmaker, inspiring audiences towards positive social change. Her family operates a nonprofit, Divine Hustles, which inspires youth to follow their dreams with community events, service, and mentorship. She documents that work using photography and video. She plans to attend a four-year college. Her long-term goal is to develop nonprofit organizations to support young filmmakers and showcase them.

WARREN HIGH SCHOOL

One day later, the green room was packed again with presenters for the Warren Awards and Scholarships. Principal Dr. Cari White welcomed the audience, recognized the graduates with the highest honors, and recognized the graduates with full scholarships. Students MIs Rodriguez and Joshua Sosa were outstanding as the program moderators.

UALANI BELTRAN-TAPIA

Ualani Beltran-Tapia says Warren High School has had a huge impact on her. Beyond academics, she has learned discipline, teamwork, and communication skills spending four years as a cheerleader, and in the Honor Choir. Her cheerleading team is the first Warren team to go to the National Competition and they placed third. Her goal is to attend a four-year college and major in Musical Theatre.

PAULA RIVERA

Paula Rivera says Warren High School has helped her to develop discipline, personal growth, and leadership skills.

Beyond academics, she says taking a wide variety of art courses helped her decide on a major in graphic arts at a four-year college.

ANDREA SAUCEDO

Andrea Saucedo’s long-term goal is to build a portfolio, from short films to scripts, and to refine her directing, editing, cinematography in filmmaking. She wants to attend Cerritos College and transfer to a four-year college. She plans on getting a bachelor’s degree in film and English, and an MA in English Literature to become a filmmaker and instructor in English Literature.

Congratulations to all of the DUSD graduates and to the DUSD administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff who joined with community organizations and individuals who made this happen. Well done.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

And finally in May, three DAC members were recognized for their contributions to the community by Congressman Robert Garcia, Senator Bob Archuleta, Assembly Member Blanca Pacheco, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Downey Mayor Hector Sosa and the City Council, and the Downey Coordinating Council.

The Downey Arts Coalition recognized Larry Dusich for his decades of service, starting as a young teenage dancer with John Hume’s nationally recognized Downey Children’s Theatre and Downey Civic Light Opera, eventually serving as the Artistic Director. Larry’s dedication and commitment to the ongoing work for the Downey Arts Coalition and the community has been remarkable.

The Downey Symphony Orchestra recognized DAC’s arts curator, Andrew Hernandez, for his decade of curating arts exhibits at Downey Symphony Orchestra performances. In addition, he has worked tirelessly with DAC in support of the Downey Symphony Garden Party fundraisers.

And finally, a special thanks to the Downey Patriot, owner and publisher Jennifer DeKay, her team, and especially Eric Pierce, editor, for their recognition of my articles in the Patriot, as contributions to arts and culture of Downey and the Los Angeles community at large.