BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Marching band takes division first place

The Laguna Beach High School Marching Band had its last tournament of the season last weekend, and, according to Marching Band Director Phil Felix, “They just keep getting better.”

The group placed first in its division out of six competing bands in the San Gorgonio Field Tournament; out of 16 bands in the tournament, Laguna placed third overall.

The group scored better than bands at least twice its size, Felix said.

The percussion section placed first in its division and scored second overall in its music score “” the most important score in these contests according to Felix.

The band also took second place in the Tesoro Field Tournament, second place in the Irvine Field Tournament and first place in the Huntington Beach Tournament.

College exhibition raises $2,000

Laguna College of Art & Design raised $2,000 to benefit the Alumni Association Scholarships Fund at the Second Annual Alumni Exhibition Nov. 8-11 at the Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana.

The event was attended by more than 600 people, and artwork sales totaled approximately $35,000.

The exhibition explored the theme “Capturing the Force of Stillness,” within the historic setting and powerful ambience of the Fairhaven Mausoleum.

Sixty-five pieces of realistic, figurative and representational artworks from 30 LCAD alumni artist were displayed.

Best of Show awards went to Kaleeka Bond for her 8-foot pastel triptych “By the Hour” and to Patrick Whalen for his painting “Secret Forest.” Sergio Rebia received an Achievement Award for his overall body of work.

Students appear in musical

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Middle School performed the comedy musical “The Pirates of Penzance” to five standing-room audiences last weekend.

The cast was made up of 49 students; an additional 12 handled the technical stage, lighting and sound elements.

Performing arts department Chairwoman Darcy Rice, who directed the show, said, “Gilbert & Sullivan is challenging material for any age cast, but this group of middle school-age performers really took ownership of the show. I was very proud of their hard work throughout the rehearsal period.”

Eighth-grader Graham Phillips of Laguna Beach, played Frederick, the dutiful pirate apprentice; eighth-grader Katherine Schneider, also of Laguna Beach, played Mabel, the love-struck Major-General’s daughter.

Eighth-grader Caroline Holte of Laguna Beach also starred as Ruth, the pirate’s maid of all work.

College student wins prestigious scholarship

The Art Renewal Center recently announced the winners of the 2007 Annual Scholarship Competition.

Among the recipients was Laguna College of Art & Design Alumna Adrienne Stein.

Stein graduated with honors, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Art degree in 2007.

She is currently studying at the Art Students’ League of New York with ARC Living Master Frank Mason; from there she will continue her studies at the Grand Central Academy of Art.

Student painters and sculptors who were chosen to receive these awards submitted examples of their works which clearly reflect the principles espoused by classical methods of drawing, painting and sculpture, centering on the importance of the techniques developed and evolved from the Renaissance through the late 19th century.

Now in its seventh year, the ARC Scholarship program has helped students from all over the world continue their studies. With $20,000 awarded annually, and more than $90,000 awarded to date, the Art Renewal Center strives to ensure that current and future generations of artists receive proper instruction in the traditional and classical methods of representational art.

Backpacks delivered by Assistance League

Assistance League member volunteers recently formed assembly lines at their local Chapter House to pack hundreds of backpacks for their Operation School Bell program.

The league distributed warm jackets and backpacks to children at several Head Start centers and to the Even Start program at the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club. The backpacks, filled to capacity with school supplies, delighted the children as they began their first school experience. Member volunteers were on hand at the Head Start centers to help the children select their jackets from a variety of colors and styles.

The Operation School Bell program dates from 1977, and on the national level it has reached more than 2 million children.

For more information about the Laguna Beach Assistance League, call (949) 494-6097.

St. Catherine’s to host gala benefit

Vacation getaways, legendary golf and spa resort escapes, limited reserve wines, restaurant dinners and artwork will be auctioned during the St. Catherine of Siena Parish School Golden Gala, Nov. 30 at the Newport Beach Marriott.

An annual tradition of the K-8 school, the gala raises funds to support school enrichment programs. The evening also includes dinner, live music and dancing.

Seating is limited; reservations ($165 per person) must be made in advance by calling St. Catherine’s at (949) 494-7339.