Ms. Marchewka’s Art 2 students created original artwork expressing a variety of personal themes using charcoal, pencil, and mixed media. Some of these works of art are on display in the second floor hallway and in the Clipper art gallery located near the health suite and the pantry. Below are five selected works by Patterson students.
Clipper Productions, Patterson’s drama club, performed a brand new play on November 20–a dystopian story titled “In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom” written by Alvaro Saar Rios. Since the script had just been published, cast members had to brainstorm creative ways to draw emotion from the text with little to no visual examples of how the play is supposed to be presented. The actors quickly embraced their characters and prepared for opening night.
The play was performed on Thursday, November 20th with an encore performance the following night. The first performance seemed like it went by slightly faster than the Friday show, which was for the parents, staff and family members.
This is only one of the many challenges our amazing crew members had to endure during the production of this play in a short two months. Everyone in the packed auditorium who watched this play enjoyed every second of escaping into a new world. The audience also liked the authenticity the story displayed.
At times the audience found the plot a little hard to follow, due to some actors who could not make it to the performance, forcing the rest of the cast to improvise. “The storyline was interesting but oftentimes i was confused as to which character was which”, commented alumnus actor Jabari Heartly. Overall, though, most audience members appreciated the meaning of the story–that oftentimes your fears are your worst enemy.
There were mysterious characters named Silencers, who “silenced” the characters by keeping them frozen whenever one entered the stage coming from the depths of darkest corners. Characters weren’t allowed to make sounds, express themselves or create music with any so called “instruments”, and if they were caught doing so they were sent to some place called the “O Pits”.
The resolution of this story ended with a character sharing some top secret dance moves they learned from being sent to the “O Pits” and with combined vocals they created music together. Everyone was happily being themselves without living in fear of being killed, threatened or imprisoned.
This play was impressively put together without much information and time and yet was still a success. In the Spring semester, the Arts department will perform a musical aiming to wow the audience.
Patterson High School’s winter concert was held on Wednesday, December 11 at 6 PM, and this year we decked the halls and the stage to take the audience to our Winter Wonderland. With performances from our band, choir and the newly formed dance team, we put on the first full performing arts program since COVID. With family, friends and staff all in attendance, the support we received was so great that the show ran out of programs!
We started the program with a performance of “Let it Snow/ Winter Wonderland” by our intermediate band and “A Christmas Fanfare” by our beginning band students. Then “Al Shlosha D’varim” was sung by the choir, followed by “Carol of the Bells” (choir), “3 Minute Nutcracker” (band), “Feliz Navidad” and “Emmanuel” (choir) to end the first half of the show.
After a short 10 min intermission the second half of the show started with the dance portion. The dance team performed to the songs “Sleigh Ride” and “Jingle Bell Rock’”, directed by Ms. Hamm. Guest singer Gabby Samone performed “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. The show continued with the selections “Last Christmas’” (band) , “Temptations Medley’” (choir) and “Sleigh Ride” (band). The concert concluded with “Oh Holy Night’” sang by both choir and band with teacher and staff participation. You can view the full performance on the Patterson High YouTube page.
The Patterson Performing Arts department would like to say thank you to everyone who came and supported our program especially in the inclement weather that night. Many thanks also go out to the crew–those who pulled the curtains, controlled the lights, set the stage, ran concessions, mic check and audio, took our photos and ushered in our guest. We also want to extend our gratitude to our custodial and administrative staff, as well as parents who contributed to our program. Lastly, but certainly not least, we thank the directors, Ms. Williams, Mr. Fowler, Ms. Hamm, Mr. Whitaker, and Mr. Woods.
Please continue supporting our performing arts department in the Spring for our production of Mean Girls–the musical and the Spring Concert.
A new art club at Patterson is making art for charity.
“There are a lot of students who like art”, said Ms. Marchewka, one of the art teachers at the school.
She would like to use that interest in art to do something positive for the community. She decided to start a new club this new school year for students to create their own individual art and to sell it to raise money for charitable organizations.
Ms. Marchewka has participated in art for charity projects outside of Patterson, so she wanted to bring her experiences to our school this year. Ms. Marchewka loved leading these clubs, so she brought the concept to Patterson so other students can experience it as well.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring that experience to Patterson.”, said Ms. Marchewka.
Ms. Marchewka sent out a Google Form to staff members so they can order commissions of custom artwork. Students will receive service learning hours for their work.
“Currently we are working on a variety of posters and signs for folks.”
Any students who are not working on a commission are making paintings to sell at the Winter Concert and the Spring Arts festival. These paintings will be available for anyone to purchase.
Ms. Marchewka will let the students decide what they want to do with the money and which charities they want it to go to.
“The students will actually decide that,” she explained.
Ms. Marchewka doesn’t know what the charities will spend the money on, because it’s their choice.
“It depends on the charity itself.”, she stated.
After students create original works of art, they will sell their artwork and Ms. Marchewka will be donating that money to any charity that the students in the club choose.
The Art for Charity club meets during Advisory. Currently Ms. Marchewka does not plan to add more students to the club.
“However, if I hear student interest in that, I would consider it for sure.”
Patterson High School offers a plethora of different CTE pathways and clubs. Among them is our school’s band. The and is split into two sections: the marching band, which is mobile and performs at parades and sporting events, and the concert band, which wears formal attire and performs at indoor events. Both sections of Patterson High School’s band have participated in many great events this school year, such as the Mayor’s Parade, the Winter Concert, the School Choice Fair, the St. James Parade, and the Springs Art Show. Additionally, Patterson has added a new musical group this school year: the choir. Although the choir is separate from the band, they frequently collaborate and perform together.
Music teacher and band director Ms. Williams has reflected on her opinions of the band, what they have accomplished, the hardships they faced, and the efforts that went into preparing the students for the many events they did this year.
“One of the things that we’re working on is them coming up with a set list right before the performance to see if they can execute that. They don’t like it but it forces them to bring their ‘A’ game.”, Ms. Williams said.
As a small band, they lack the numbers of performers that some other schools have, so Ms. Williams has to make sure they can play to the best of their ability through practice and testing them with a set list. There also struggles that come with having few staff members to help.
“Sometimes I have to focus on the woodwinds to make sure they sound right, to the neglect of the percussion, which is why I asked Terrance [Whitaker] to come, so he can pay a little bit more attention to them.”
With only Ms. Williams and Mr. Whitaker on staff, they have to split their time to try make sure everyone can get equal attention and improve their abilities. Yet despite these challenges, everyone in the band still performs well. For most students, joining the band has helped them a lot.
“[Ms. Williams] helps me a lot, helps me be outside my comfort zone, which helps me gain that confidence. She’s an amazing teacher.”, said Kailani Becker.
Becker is a band member who plays the flute. In the beginning, she used to be shy, but after a while being around her peers and the teacher it helped her as a person to become confident socially.
Kylayah Davis, the editor in chief of the Patterson Press, also plays in the band as a trumpet player. She expressed how band changed her as a person.
“ I can open myself to a lot more things… and the effort I put into band expanded to other areas.”
Band has helped Davis become capable of putting the same amount of effort into other things she is interested in, which help her apply herself more, changing her as a person and expanding her capabilities.
As this program continues to grow, the experience will hopefully help others to also be a part of something bigger than themselves. As for Patterson, this current iteration of the band didn’t start until 2015, after many years of not having a fully functional band.
“Patterson didn’t have a band program for decades. Until I got here in 2015 is when we started…And it’s a slow build.”, Ms. Williams said.
There are many things Ms. Williams would like to add to the band to get more help, such as having coaching staff for each part of the band, including woodwinds, brass, percussion, flags, etc., and getting more instruments and equipment. But a big barrier to getting those upgrades is obtaining the funds to pay for them. Ms. Williams has been trying to get more funding for the band. Meanwhile, the school administration has been expanding the music program in other ways. This school year, Patterson hired a choir teacher, Mr. Fowler, who has already made a huge impact in terms of what kinds of performances the school can do now that we have both a band and a choir. Next year school leaders aim to add a dance teacher to the staff as well. Together, Ms. Williams and the rest of the Patterson performing arts staff will explore the possibilities of what our talented students can do for next year’s performances and for years to come as the band and the performing arts program as a whole becomes better and better.
(Photo by Mr. Antoine)(Photo by Mr. Antoine)(Photo by Patterson Press)
Patterson High School hosted its second annual Culture Night on April 30th from 5:00-7:00 PM. The event was sponsored by the student organization, Catalyst for Change. People brought a variety of different foods from their cultures. There were several different types of presentations. There was music and dancing, and people wore traditional clothing styles from their cultures.
At the event there was a lot of food from around the world, including African food, Filipino food, Jamaican food, Arabic food, Mexican food, and American food. One of the musical pieces presented reminded a teacher about where she was.
One of the reasons for organizing Culture Night was “to bring everyone together,” according to Ms. Olunuga. Another reason was to represent “the culture of every nationality that is in Patterson High School,” said Ms. Godinez.
The event helped people start to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures more.
“I think everyone had the opportunity to connect more”, said a teacher whose name the Patterson Press did not catch. “It was a really rich experience.”
Akira Toriyama was a visionary Japanese manga artist who is celebrated for creating the beloved series, Dragon Ball, which has captivated audiences worldwide. This news report commemorates the life and legacy of Akira Toriyama, highlighting his profound influence on the manga industry and global pop culture, following his recent passing.
Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan and passed away on March 1, 2024. Toriyama spent most of his life in Japan, where he developed his passion for manga and crafted the fantastical world of Dragon Ball. The report aims to honor Toriyama’s contributions to manga and reflect on the enduring impact of his work, even after his passing.
The news of Akira Toriyama’s passing has sent shockwaves through the manga community, with fans and fellow artists alike expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories of his work. Tributes pour in from around the globe, underscoring the profound impact Toriyama had on shaping the landscape of manga and inspiring generations of creators.
Though he may no longer be with us, his legacy will continue to shine brightly through the enduring legacy of Dragon Ball and his many other works. Toriyama breathed life into the world of manga with his unparalleled creativity and boundless imagination. His journey from aspiring artist to global phenomenon has left an indelible mark on the industry and touched the hearts of millions.
Toriyama’s rise to fame came in the 1980s with the debut of Dragon Ball, a groundbreaking manga series that captured the imagination of readers worldwide. Set in a vibrant world teeming with martial arts, mythical creatures, and epic battles, Dragon Ball became an instant classic, spawning multiple adaptations and earning Toriyama a devoted fanbase.
Throughout his illustrious career, Toriyama remained dedicated to his craft, producing a wealth of beloved manga and providing creative input for various projects. His distinctive art style and innovative storytelling techniques set him apart as a true pioneer of the genre, inspiring generations of artists and storytellers to follow in his footsteps.
As news of Toriyama’s passing reverberates throughout the manga community, fans around the world come together to celebrate his life and legacy. From his humble beginnings in Nagoya to his meteoric rise to fame, Toriyama’s impact on the world of manga and entertainment is undeniable.
While Toriyama may no longer be with us, his spirit lives on through the timeless characters and captivating stories he created. From Goku’s indomitable spirit to Vegeta’s relentless determination, Toriyama’s characters continue to inspire and resonate with audiences of all ages.
As the manga world bids farewell to one of its greatest pioneers, we remember Akira Toriyama not only for his artistic brilliance but also for the joy and wonder he brought into our lives. Though he may be gone, his legacy will endure, ensuring that his contributions to manga and pop culture will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, Toriyama-sensei.
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