Annual Report 2011-12 | Page 49

Community Arts and Cultural Events The Carlos Rosario School recognizes that creative expression and cultural appreciation are essential to truly holistic learning. Creative Arts Coordinator, Tara Villanueva, and school community members teamed up to support students with unique opportunities to learn important life skills and practice their English through the arts. These activities connect students with the local arts community and help to foster a sense of community within the school itself. Three important cultural events (Hispanic Heritage, Black History, and Asian Pacific Spring Festival) were held during the months of October, February, and May. These student-led events attended by board members, special guests, students and staff showcased the talents of the whole school community. Each event ended with a culturally relevant tasting menu prepared by Culinary Arts Career Training students. This year, the arts were also integrated into classroom activities through traveling art exhibits as well as dance and writing workshops. Community Arts Collaborators Washington Performing Arts Society (Luis Garay World Percussion Ensemble) Sulu DC and BloomBars Mesi Walton Christylez Bacon Aloha Island Revue District Groove Raices de Borinquen Ling Tang (Chinese Dancing Ribbons) Creative Arts Student Volunteers The success of these arts events is due in large part thanks to student volunteers who spent countless hours creating costumes from scratch, decorating the stage and cafeteria, as well as practicing different acts they themselves choreographed. A special thank you to our outstanding student volunteers! Victoria Rodriguez Jesus Montiel Jose Pablo Sanchez Israel Jones Adenike “Nikki” Adelliyi I Pictures above are the costumes Volunteer Adenike Adelliyi (quote to the right) made for the student dances during the Asian Pacific Spring Festival. was very happy to sew for the (festival) because it's my school, and they are helping me. This is a way to help the school too. -Adenike Ageliyi, seamstress and Orientation A student from Nigeria who designed and sewed many of the costumes used for the Asian Pacific Spring Festival