SP High School Students to Participate in US Theatrical Production

May 12, 2011 The San Pedro Sun Page 9 SP High School Students to Participate in US Theatrical Production Students Ismael Kay and Emilie Gomez, both 15 years old students of the 3A class, along with Vice Principal of the San Pedro High School (SPHS), Mrs. Conchita Flota will be travelling to the United States of America in early June. The team is travelling to participate in a theatrical project in Los Angeles, California at the invitation of Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC). The project is scheduled for the datesJune 3rd through June I 01h and will feature students from around the world. The students will converge at LAHC to work on the theatrical production of "OUR WORLD V" a production which deals with environmental issues being faced by children around the world. On Tuesday May 1011" The San Pedro Sun met with Larry and Debbie Heimgartner of the Theater Arts Department of LAHC, along with Sandra Osuma, student at LAHC and Katalil Nagy of Budapest Hungary to find out more about the program.

This marks the first year that Belize is participating in the exchange program and will be represented by two of San Pedro's very own. While in Los Angeles, the students will be joined by students from Cornwall and Barclay colleges from England, working on common projects. Two projects that the students will be working on are two plays in a series called "Our World". The plays are written to be presented to high schools, youth groups, colleges and universities around the world, and deal with social issues facing young people around the world. They will have a total of about six performances throughout the exchange. While the students will be engrossed in practice and rehearsals and performances, according to Mr. Heimgartner, they will have some down time. He stated that as part of the children's cultural experience and to have some fun, they are scheduled to visit Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, shopping, baseball games involving the Anaheim Angels and the New York Yankees as well as barbeques and breakfasts.

According to Mr. Heimgartner, the exchange program will assist in the internationalization of LAHC's curriculun1, to globalize their efforts as well as prepare their students to compete with the rest of the world. The exchange will also function as a method of introducing both students involved to different cultures and international experiences.

Vice Principal, Mrs. Conchita Flota hopes that the students' experiences will serve to encourage other students to strive to excel that they may also receive this opportunity" to expand on their educational experience at SPHS through the exchange program.

This exchange program also promises to provide a great educational value for all involved. Funding for the project is possible through a joint effort between LAHC and the SPHS. Donations are still welcomed to assist with the expenses that will be incurred for this trip. There is a raffle for an IPOD Shuffle with 8GB memory scheduled for May 18th.