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By Leia Johnson
The past month has been absolute mayhem, some school days lasting up to 15 hours for me! Despite my love for sleep, I have gladly spent morning to evening at Downey to ensure my involvement in the arts programs. My two main extracurricular focuses this year are theatre and film. I’m fortunate enough to be involved with such a diverse, talented group of students in Downey’s ‘Into the Woods’, opening early March! Rehearsal began in January and everyone has put in copious amounts of work every single week since, to make this show magical! Talented Downey regulars like YES’s Sam Gerber, Kyra Pelham and Bella Marseline will all be closing their senior year with this final production! All three are attending arts-oriented schools in the fall, specifically for their dancing, acting and singing abilities. Our Director, John Armes, has somehow managed to maintain Downey’s choir, drama and theatre departments this year. Mr Armes commented on his first year at TDHS, explaining that “It’s a time consuming, rigorous job, however it’s been completely rewarding at the same time because I get to work with some great students in all three areas of the arts. I wouldn’t trade my job for anything”. Come support me as Little Red Riding Hood and the rest of these wonderful people on March 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th at 7:00 PM and the 19th at 2:00 PM.
Another event that is coming up in Downey’s Auditorium is the ‘Coffee Road Film Festival.’ The festival itself will take place on May 19th in the Thomas Downey High School auditorium from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The event will not be limited to film; there will also be an art viewing in the lobby from 5:30pm-6:00pm. The organizers of the festival (Downey’s VISCOM club) are now accepting film, photography, and art submissions. Any high school students in Stanislaus County are welcome to submit films via the Withoutabox link:
www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festview=1&festival_id=15788
Art and photography submissions can be dropped off at Thomas Downey High School in room 211. The submission deadline is May 5th, and those who submitted and accepted will be notified by May 12th. Follow the film festival on Instagram (@coffeeroadfilmfest) for updates!
My songs for the month are ‘America’ by Foxygen, ‘Since I Left You’ by The Avalanches’ and ‘This Old Dog’ by Mac Demarco. Have a stellar March, my friends!!
