PIONEER NEWS BRIEFS

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news Briefs

AlohA! Providence singers trAvel to hAwAii for comPetition

Providence Singers traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii from March 17th - 21st to compete in the National Heritage Music Festival. The ensemble competed against large public schools from around the country and brought home a Gold Rating, 2nd Place in the Chamber Choir Division. A total of 42 student musicians enjoyed visiting the beautiful and historic sites of Oahu. In addition, two students were honored with individual achievement awards. Christy Hoffman ’17 received the “Maestro Award” for her outstanding vocal solo and Margaret Staedler ’16 received the prestigious “Ovation Award,” an award that is given to only one festival participant upon nomination from her instructor. The Ovation Award recipient displays “a spirit of determination, inspiration and service to others.”

Phs teAcher recognized As A digitAl innovAtor

PHS faculty member, Annie Matthews ‘93, recently applied and was selected for the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators program, which recognizes educators nationwide who are incorporating digital media in classrooms and serving as leaders in educational technology.

Over the course of the 2016-2017 school year, PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators will be part of a robust professional learning community that will foster new ways of thinking, while leading the way in using technology to drive student achievement.

The PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators program is a yearlong, free professional development program designed to foster and reward a community of highly engaged, tech-savvy K-12 educators who are using digital media and technology in classrooms. Ms. Matthews was selected to join the program as a Local Digital Innovator. She will have exclusive access to all affiliated virtual events and trainings and the potential to partner with PBS inperson at specific education events in the community.

girls’ BAsketBAll teAm secures chAmPionshiP title

The Lady Pioneers were named the Liberty League Champions after another successful season with a record of 18-11, 7-1 in league. This is the seventh straight Liberty League championship for the program. The girls advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs, losing to Oxford Academy, 40-31.

Rachel Camonayan ‘16 was named the Liberty League Player of the Year. She led Providence in assists, averaging 2.9 a game. In addition, she averaged 7.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals. Teammates Fabi Jimenez ‘16, who averaged 12 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game and Jasmine Ramirez ‘16, who averaged 10 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals were also named to the all-league team.

students comPlete los Angeles mArAthon

On February 14th, 18 Providence students and leaders attempted to run the LA Marathon and each and every one of them finished. Back in September, the students joined the PHS Students Run LA (SRLA) club and trained for five months to prepare for this tremendous feat.

Guided by five dedicated adult leaders, Mr. Raul Borja, Mr. Ryan Cadiz, Mr. Greg Castro ‘02, Mr. Nick Norman, and Mrs. Laura Walsh, the students trained three times a week to build up the stamina and athleticism required to complete the marathon through the city of Los Angeles. SRLA is a goal-oriented program that helps students realize that they can accomplish anything. For many of the students, this may be the first time they have ever run a long distance. Throughout the five month journey, students begin by running one mile and slowly progress to accomplishing longer distances with the goal of completing the 26.2 mile course. Congratulations to the following participants for achieving this major life-changing accomplishment! It wasn’t a race, it was a journey. Nicole Abnous ‘17, Therese Caedo ‘17, Allegra Carrillo ‘16, Sarah Cox ‘18, Eden Dawit ‘17, Stephanie Figueroa ‘16, Serena Hermosura ‘16, Sabrina Khoury ‘16, Marcela Lara ‘16, Milena Mooradian ‘18, Jezelle Perida ‘17, Christian Santa Cruz ‘16, and Kayla Santos ‘17.

student Artwork on disPlAy At the cAthedrAl

Recently, five students from Providence High School were among 72 students invited to participate in the fourth annual Robert Graham Memorial Student Art Exhibit. The exhibit is named in honor of noted sculptor Robert Graham, who designed the Great Bronze Doors at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. The five PHS students honored included Maria Benedicto ‘16, Cristina Corral ‘17, Tiffany Dang ‘17, Peter Levitan ‘17, and Kaitlin Luttenberger ‘18. Each artistic piece is based on the artist’s spirituality, expressed in unique and creative ways. Maria’s piece, Free, depicts “how spiritual energy flows around us constantly like the wind.” In Cristina’s piece, Homeostasis, she states that “through quiet reflection, I try to maintain spiritual homeostasis.” Peter depicted the face of Jesus in Crown of Thorns. In his artist statement he says, “the face represents the pain He went through by seeing His emotional expression. The crown of thorns represents the image of Jesus’ suffering. You can understand the pain someone is going through by his or her facial expression.” Tiffany’s charcoal drawing is called Transcendence and she states, “for me, this piece is reminiscent of Jesus’ resurrection in the way the fabric is lifted and elevated.” Kaitlin’s 3-dimensional art piece, Tree of Life, represents a tree with one leaf. She states, “this tree with its one leaf represents hope to me; the kind of hope that guides you through winter into spring and warms your soul.”

Phs AcAdemic decAthlon teAm Brings home medAls

This year’s Academic Decathlon competition was held at Bishop Alemany High School. Providence put forth two teams with a single alternate player. The team captain was four year veteran Michael Napa ‘16, who was assisted by three year veteran, Emily Velandia ‘16. The team took home a total of eight medals including a bronze medal for third place in Division 2. Congratulations to the following students: Isabella Hays ‘16 and Erika Marmershteyn ‘18, both earning silver medals in literature; Michael Napa ‘16 earning a gold medal for the essay component and a silver medal in economics; Grace Newman ‘17 for earning bronze medals in literature, social science, and art; and Emily Velandia ‘16 for earning a bronze medal in economics.