Reporter Theresa Walker of the OC Register writes about rising junior Hanna Weinmeister and what inspired her to found a nonprofit dedicated to providing dance instruction for at-risk youth.
Arts
At JSerra Catholic High School, we encourage students to explore their creative sides by providing them with ample opportunities to participate in just about every aspect of the Performing or Visual Arts — whether it's in front of or behind a camera, canvas, or curtain. Students may concentrate on the Arts through the Arts Magnet Program or take Arts classes that appeal to them; they may even satiate their creative needs by participating in such activities as our improvisational comedy group, theatre productions, choir, after-school rock band, and more.
Students are welcome to engage with more than one activity; in fact, many of our students balance their participation in the Arts with rigorous AP and honors academics, Magnet Programs, and/or Athletics.
Arts News
Congratulations to JSerra sophomore Ana Andrade, whose artwork entitled Telescope has been selected to be the official t-shirt design for this year's Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. Never in JSerra history has a student's artwork been selected for this honor.
JSerra alumnus Kyler Pettis ('11) won the coveted Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series at the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He won for his role of Theo Carver on Days of Our Lives, which he played for three years until 2018.
Last night the JSerra cast of The Addams Family performed a four-minute medley at the 49th Annual MACY Awards and won an impressive eleven awards. JSerra Theatre Teacher Robert Rigg called his students' performance "nothing short of superb!"
Congratulations to junior Ashton Acquanita, who was one of several high school students awarded scholarships to Laguna College of Art and Design's Pre-College Summer Program via the Color It Orange Art Contest. His portrait of his brother Luke won him the opportunity to study drawing, portfolio development or animation under the guidance of arts industry professionals.
JSerra Chorale earned the highest ranking of gold and won first place in their division at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in Nashville, TN. Competing against high school chamber choirs around the nation, the Lions also won an Adjudicator's Award for Superior Performance and were invited to sing at the Festival of Gold, which is reserved for choirs who score 92% or higher.