Academic Spotlight Archives - the bird on fire

Mr. Jue’s Journey as an Art Teacher

December 9, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Part of thebirdonfire.org feature series on Art Live!

By Middle-School Bloggers Sarah Alnabelsi and Morgan Richardson

Our art teacher Mr. Jue this year joined the PVS community. Inspired by our art topic in Blog class, we decided to learn more about our new faculty member Mr. Zack Jue. After all, I, Morgan, have taken part in his art class for almost a full semester. Mr. Jue teaches lower, middle, and high-school students. We each interviewed Mr. Jue about his experiences and journey that led him to be an art teacher at PVS.

Mr. Jue’s education led him through a path in art. “I took Art and Psychology at Claremont Graduate University,” said Mr. Jue. This key decision increased his knowledge of the arts. Mr. Jue tends to lean towards the region of “Lowbrow art” as well as 3D sculptures and street art. Lowbrow, as Mr. Jue explained, is “what people tend to call cartoonists and people who aren’t considered fancy.”

Mr. Jue had a childhood full of art: “My mom is an art teacher, and my uncle was a relatively popular Chicano artist.” Mr. Jue’s sister also has a similar passion for art. She currently teaches at College of the Desert and paints realistic abstract portraits. Mr. Jue was inspired by many artists growing up and continues to be inspired. When naming his favorite artists, Mr. Jue includes, “David Cho” and “Doze Green from reading his magazine, Juxtapoz.”

After graduating from College of the Desert, Mr. Jue went on to California State University San Bernardino to earn a Bachelors in Psychology. He continued his education at Claremont University where he obtained a Masters degree in Fine Art (pvs.org). Mr. Jue had many career paths to choose from. He decided to pursue his art path. And here he is, sharing his art passion with the people at Palm Valley School. “This is home to me,” he says. Mr. Jue wants to give back to his “community.” He adds, “I feel I have to.” Why is art his contribution? What was his path to art? Mr. Jue said, “I went to high school, graduated early and then went to college and took art classes for easy A’s.” Then, he added, “I fell into it” and loved art.

Photo Credit: Morgan Richardson and Sarah Alnabelsi

Ready to Write? Ready to earn $100?

November 6, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Part of our What’s New in the PVS Neighborhood series

By 8th-Grade Blogger Soleil Antle

As many know, Palm Valley School is a part of the state wide California Scholarship Federation (CSF). In 2024, our school decided to apply for the CJSF program, also known as California Junior Scholarship Federation. It’s a tough process qualifying for this state honor society, and here’s why:

A student establishes membership by earning academic points. The number of points earned must be twice the number of academic subjects in which the student is enrolled, i.e., 10 points must be earned by a student enrolled in 5 eligible subjects, 12 points for a student with 6 subjects, etc. A minimum of 4 academic subjects is required.” (csf-cjsf.org/cjsf-membership/)

At Palm Valley, we are Chapter 1418. We meet every other Friday to discuss various topics and fundraisers. This week state CJSF announced the DiGiovanna Memorial Award essay competition, with the following prompt:

CJSF prides itself on service to communities. Share how one community service experience has impacted you personally. In addition, suggest a service that could benefit your community or school in the future.
csf-cjsf.org

The contest began accepting submissions Saturday, November 1st. The CJSF DiGiovanna Memorial Award essay competition closes at 6 p.m. on January 13th. For a chance to win $100, be sure to submit your response to the prompt if you are a CJSF member. See previous years’ winners on the CJSF website: csf-cjsf.org. This year it could be you!

California Scholars at PVS

September 26, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Meet the PVS students who qualify as members of our state honor societies: California Scholarship Federation for high-school students and California Junior Scholarship Federation for middle-school students. The California Scholarship Federation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to recognize and encourage academic achievement and community service among middle and high school students in California. There are approximately 1500 chapters in middle school and high schools throughout the state (CSF website). Palm Valley School has active chapters in both CSF and CJSF. Students qualify each semester using the grades earned in the previous semester. If they become long-standing members through multiple semesters, our upper-school members will graduate with honors as CSF Sealbearers and our middle-school members will be acknowledged as Honor Members at 8th-grade Commencement.

CONGRATULATIONS FALL 2025 CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION MEMBERS

Chapter 1234 @ Palm Valley School

Isolde Junge

Shayan Habibipour

Matteo Lam

Shibo (Tom) Hong

Oliver Martinez

Olivia Puetz

Gabe Rodriguez-Portugues

Louisa Richardson

Elijah Berliner

Evan Wang

Rylie Conway

Pip Watson

Leah Ferreira

Zander Eaton

. . . and ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Valeria Vazquez

John Webster

. . . and Honorary ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Moses Gizaw

Steven Liu

Elizabeth Trevino Greenwood

Upper-School honor students qualify based on CSF state rules. For Fall Semester, Spring Semester grades are used. Only 5 grades may be used to reach 10 points. Academic classes must make up the first 7 points. An “A” is worth 3 points, a “B” 1. Two weighted grades are allowed. No “D” or “F” grades.

California Scholarship Federation is a statewide honor society.

Meet the 2025 CSF Officers (from left to right): Treasurer Pip Watson, Secretary Evan Wang, Librarian Olivia Puetz, and Vice President Shayan Habibipour (President Matteo Lam not shown).

CONGRATULATIONS to our FALL 2025 CALIFORNIA JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION MEMBERS

Chapter 1418 @ Palm Valley School

Sami Alnabelsi

Madeline (Millie) Flemings

Sarah Alnabelsi

Emmy Kaminsky

Soleil H. Antle

Jackie Pretorius

Julian Berumen

Maxwell Pretorius

Sophia Bottine

Benjamin Rouche

Peter Collier

Calum Webster

Emerson Dunn

Morgan Richardson

Middle-School honor students qualify based on CJSF state rules. For spring-semester qualification, Fall semester grades are used. Students must earn twice the number of points than courses in which they are enrolled. No points are earned for P.E., a repeated course, or work experience. An “A” is worth 3 points, a “B” 1. Two weighted grades are allowed. No “D” or “F” grades.

California Junior Scholarship Federation is a statewide honor society.

Attn: Middle-School Smarties!

February 13, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Our newly state-approved California JUNIOR Scholarship Federation met for its first-ever Orientation Meeting this week. Applications are out and available for 7th and 8th-grade members. Pick up applications from Ms. Zachik in Room US#7. Hurry. Applications are due Monday, February 24. Because we are a newly minted chapter, state CSF has approved retroactive qualifications for past semesters this one time only. That means this year’s 8th grade can qualify as Honor Members for this year’s Promotion Ceremony. Get your applications in now.

What Gabriel Hears

January 19, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

The PVS Upper-School American Literature class is half-dragging, half-dancing through the American Transcendentalists. I shared with them Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.” Then, I asked, What do you hear singing? Junior Gabriel Rodriguez-Portugues had a delightfully surprising response. I share here Whitman’s list o’ singers; then, you get Gabriel’s. — Ms. Zachik, Blog Advisor, English Teacher

I Hear America Singing

By Walt Whitman

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,

The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,

Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

____________________

I hear something singing

By Gabriel Rodriguez-Portugues

I hear teachings of historical people who I don’t think about;

I hear a teacher singing about math equations that I just don’t want to hear;

I hear younger, contemporary, or older people talking about things that I either care about or don’t care about;

I don’t exactly hear what Whitman hears;

But there is so much singing that sometimes I can’t keep up.

Fall Check-In: Palm Valley Class of ’25 Highlights

December 5, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We conclude our Fall check-in with the Palm Valley School Class of ’25 with a collage compilation of seniors Kyle Knight, Kiera Nash, Preston Pillard, Riley Jorgensen, and Bianca Torres.

Kyle, like Kristina Panagiotaros in a previous post, voted for *the first time* this last election. Here he’s pictured with some keepers of democracy, California poll workers.

On our birthdays, we get to do what we want. It’s our party. Kiera insists on going to the beach.

Seniors worked on retaining the title of #1 Halloween Door in the universe. A little bit sadly, but ultimately graciously, they passed the trophy to Mr. Spurlock’s class this year. It was a peaceful transition of power. They devoted after-school time to cutting, gluing, coloring, painting, taping. Above, we see Preston apparently supervising, Riley sketching, Kiera and Bianca coloring jack-o-lanterns.

Seniors on the Move

November 22, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

PVS seniors have had a busy few months. They’ve been applying to colleges, voting, putting on dances and Nest events, eating crumbl cookies. Let’s check in with Enzo Lomsky, Anais Lee, and Alex Ratner, and see what they’ve been up to.

Enzo’s been up and down the West Coast, likely traveling with a little AP Lit Dostoevsky.

Not to be outdone by Lily’s trip to Rome, Anais went to London.

Alex may not be on the move (okay, so actually he’s checking out USC and UCLA today); but, he is “moving” in the kitchen. How many different ways do you think Alex can prepare chicken?

What’s Going on with our Senior Class?

November 22, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Good stuff!

The seniors in Advisory made collages summing up fall events and feelings. Last post, you saw Zach happily eating crumbl cookies, Lily making future plans for a life in Rome, and Mirabelle taking time for fun and friends. Now, let’s take a peek at how seniors Kristina Panagiotaros, Abby Assefa, and Cindy Wang assess the first quarter of their last year of high school at Palm Valley.

Kristina, along with several of our seniors, turned 18 just in time to vote–first time ever–in November’s elections. They displayed proudly their “I voted” stickers.

ASB President Abby is on top of everything, but she also makes time for the fun, the music, the family, and the fun. It’s important.

Cindy nailed it. The seniors have expressed immense relief at submitting those college applications. Being done with that stress apparently feels like a vibrant sunset at the end of a very long day.

Seniors Say . . .

November 20, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We asked members of our Class of ’25 to sum up how their senior year is going so far. They created collages. We’ll start with seniors Zachary Kazmouz, Mirabelle Lee, and Lily Jones.

**Zachary** is all about the Crumbl right now.

Despite working assiduously on everything academic, writing supplement essay after supplement essay for college admissions, AND supporting her non-profits, **Mirabelle** makes time for fun and friends.

**Lily**‘s still basking in the glow of summer travel with the family. She is smitten with Rome.

Stay tuned for more updates from our PVS Senior Class of ’25.

Luke Wins!

April 16, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

Palm Valley senior Luke Sonderman is the California Scholarship Federation South Region Seymour Memorial Award winner. This is one of the state’s most prestigious scholarships. After an all-day interview on Saturday, April 27, in Irvine with the other nine finalists, CSF judges selected Luke for his leadership skills and acumen. Said Ms. Cherise Sonderman (Luke’s mother), “The finalists all had crazy amazing qualifications. But when they said it was all based on today’s interview and discussion, I had a feeling.” Luke said he could tell it was time to step up and be a voice in the group discussions. His mother added, “One of [the judges] mentioned that Luke really led most of the discussions of this group of leaders.” These honor-society finalists will be attending some of the finest universities in the country. Each goes home with $2,000. Luke earns an additional $3,000. While our Palm Valley Chapter of CSF has sent half a dozen finalists on to the final interview in previous years, Luke is the first in our school and chapter history to be the regional winner. Of the day, Luke said, “It was fun.”