Arts & Letters Awards Archives - Page 4 of 4

The Interview: Jade Edition

October 22, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

–by Ashley Zhou

Ashley Zhou, our Arts Correspondent, sat down with one of PVS’s most respected artists, Jade Yoon. Says AP Art Teacher Ms. Raphael McGrew of her pupil, “Jade is a very talented artist, always finding herself through her art. Jade is a very prolific creator. Painting, drawing or molding a new piece of art daily. She’s not afraid to experiment with different mediums and styles. Her daily mood is reflected in her images created, which makes interesting, inviting and random art.”

Today I am going to interview an artist in our school. She always impresses everyone with her amazing works and professional drawing technics. She is quite modest, but her works are not. She is Jade Yoon. Let’s find out about her art career.

The theme of this piece is children in the holocaust. It is very depressing and gloomy. She approaches this art by using mostly dark and plain colors–white, black, grey. Oil painting and water color make the painting more realistic and complete. Understanding this piece, we have a broader vision of her style–not only technics but also expressions

Ashley: So, Jade, when did you find yourself interested in art?
Jade:Well, I actually started drawing or doodling when I was 3. Then I considered being an artist when I was in elementary school, but I kind of gave up in middle school. It’s hard to be successful as an artist. Then I came to Palm Valley, and, you know, we have actual art classes. I picked up my drawing again and realized this is what I like and what I should do.
A: It’s very nice to hear that you stick with it. So, are your parents also interested in art?
J: My mom is not a professional artist but she really enjoys drawing. So, I guess she influences me in some way.
A: What kind of art are you best at?
J: I like all kinds of arts. I paint lots of oil paintings now because my skills are improving.
A: Will you consider art as a career in the future also?
J: I am definitely going to art schools and will major in art in college. I kinda want to work in somewhere like Universal Studios or Disneyland. I am also interested in computer graphics like digital arts.
A: That’s very nice. So who is your favorite artist?
J: My favorite artist is Modigliani. He is an Italian painter. I really like his style.

A: Very nice to talk to you! Do you have any suggestions for students who enjoy art and are interested in improving?
J: I think you just need to practice a lot and keep drawing all the time.
A: Thank you Jade. Nice talking to you.

This painting is a portrait of Jade’s friend, Karey. Jade uses red, black and white for this one. The colors complement each other. This piece looks very soothing because it reveals the figure’s personality. The girl in the portrait is what she is in reality.

Jade has many other amazing works, and we are not introducing them all today. Her artworks represent her ways of thinking. As a person who loves art, I really enjoy looking at her paintings and getting to know her efforts put into those works. It’s nice to talk to Jade, and I hope everyone gets to know a little bit more about this artist.

Totally Talkative Typography

September 25, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Art reveals students’ talents responding to various subjects and temperaments. Our art class, led by Ms. McGrew, has just finished the first project of the year— a piece on typography. Typography is the aesthetic combination of arts and letters. The assignment was to find a song, a poem, or a quote and incorporate it into an image.

This project presents us the creativity of our students Gaven Li, Ashley Zhou, Amelie Wang, Karey Graves, and Chloé Katz.

–by Ashley Zhou

Artist Gaven Li (Junior) incorporated the song “Empire State of Mind.”

Artis Ashley Zhou (Senior) was inspired by William Yeats’ poem “When You Are Old.”

Artist Amelie Wang (Junior) used the Beatles’ song “She Loves You.”

Artist Karey Graves (Junior) demonstrated Fetty Wap’s “My Way” in her piece.

Artist Chloé Katz (Sophomore) captured “The Great Escape” in her work.

How do you “really” feel about Jane Eyre?

September 23, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

by Zhenzhou Hu

The European Literature class was assigned to read the classic novel Jane Eyre over the summer. We decided to interview both the teacher, Ms. Permar, and her students on how they “really” feel about Jane Eyre.

Question 1: Jane Eyre is the first novel we read this year in European Literature. Why is this book special? What do you like about it？

“Jane Eyre presents a sassy young heroine who must navigate her need for individual liberty through the challenges of 19th-century English society. Despite growing up an orphan, suffering the death of her only friend, and falling in love with her boss, who, coincidentally has a crazy woman locked in his attic, Jane maintains a surprising amount of composure. Also, there’s MAGIC.” –Ms. Permar

Question 2: Did you find Jane Eyre to be interesting or boring?

It is an umfangreich [enormous] book [that] helps us get to know the background information and society during [The] Victorian Age–Anonymous

“I am . . . not a big fan . . . . In my opinion, this ‘gothic’ novel did not take me off of my seat. It mainly consisted of what my grandpa says, spoiled drama.” –Brian Sadler

“Jane Eyre’s life proves that Suffering breeds success.”–Zhenzhou Hu

“I like the book because it shows a story that you can never predict. Everything is a mystery, and it keeps my attention.”–Anonymous

“The book was a little slow in my opinion. It had points that were interesting and parts I enjoyed, but it definitely was not one I would willingly read again.”–Gaige Griffin.

“It depicts the growth of Jane Eyre and the series of things that happen to her. They are very meaningful.”–Jim Wang

“Most importantly the movie of Jane Eyre is really good.”–Edward

“[T]he book was okay, [but] it was just a bit too long. It had an interesting plot with strong character development.”–Jacob Langlois

“I think the story is good, but it is boring . . . . The coming of age style of [the] story is helpful for learning but overused.”–Elliot

“It is . . . unlike many books written in the 18th century. It really set a foundation for gender equality, and that is why it is important.”–Emily

“It shows an independent woman chasing her life. Although she had a poor childhood, she met a lot of nice people during that time and became a strong independent woman. It encourages me to be an independent person.”–Anonymous

“[In] this book . . . we can see that if we are strong and go through horrible things, we can still [have] success in our life. [We] just need courage and a strong mind.”–Anna Kleckerova

“Jane Eyre, in the book, showed a new type of love, which is a love stronger than anything.”–Anonymous

“It was really boring and tiring to read the whole book. Their lines were too long and symbolic to easily understand, and the characters all spoke like they were in a Shakespeare play.”–Anonymous

“Yes, it was interesting because you followed Jane growing up, and it emphasized gender equality” -Karey G

“It is really just not my cup of tea. I prefer more interesting books such as Macbeth.”–Trey

Culture Shock–from China to America

May 28, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Sophomore Michael Ma won 3rd place and $100 in the English-Speaking Union’s Writing Competition for his essay about a unique American custom. The prompt is as follows:

In the United States, some of our customs are so much a part of our lives that we don’t even recognize them as unique. Is there one custom that you think exemplifies life in the US? How would you explain it to someone from another country–or planet?

Here is Michael’s award-winning reply:

American Culture

As an international student, it’s funny to talk about a topic like American culture. Sometimes I felt that I had much in common with Amy Tan (the author of The Joy Luck Club) while I was reading those stories. As a Chinese, actually I don’t feel something has a huge gap between Chinese culture and American culture. So many universal elements emerge and I grow up under those elements. So in some ways, teens are similar in both countries. But I have to say that people are actually different in these two countries. Americans always give me a feeling of kindness, and everybody here loves smiling. American people often give off a feeling of positivity. From my perspective, the first thing I noticed about American culture is smiling.

The United States is a combination of a variety of cultures; the people come from all over the world to stay here and form into a big country. Above all, it’s easy to see that American people are tolerant. That’s why smiling is so popular here.

Actually, when I was in China, I heard a lot about how tolerant American people are, and I think this is a country full of happiness and freedom. I think that the biggest sign for this country is smiling. It’s hard for an unhappy person to keep smiling all the time. I heard a lot about how a smile can change a person’s life before, but I could not get it until I came to the U.S. by myself. I can see the smile from a stranger’s face on the street, from my teachers, from the cashiers and also from myself. I truly understand why so many people love the United States.

In China, a stranger is a stranger. We don’t know each other, so we don’t need to say hello or give each other a warm smile. We just walk past each other quickly without even any eye contact, because no one would like to be misunderstood as a mad person. In China, if you smiled at a person you did not know, they might think you are crazy. So did I. That’s why the culture of smiling shocked me so much that I started to change myself deeply. I want to be a part of everyone. So I started smiling to an old lady on the street or a little kid around my feet. This is a fresh feeling for me. And also an unforgettable experience.

From now on, I will keep reminding myself to enjoy the power of the smile. Because the magic of this country is not beautiful land, it’s not flourishing cities, but a warm smile on everyone’s face.

O Sarkis, Sarkis! Wherefore art thou Sarkis? –At the Tony’s!!!

May 4, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

Each year the Tony Awards, Broadway’s version of the Oscars, recognize outstanding achievement in live Broadway Theatre. Awards go to actors and actresses, directors and choreographers, composers, lyricists, costume and lighting designers, as well as Best Play and Best Musical.

This year, for the first time ever, the Tony’s will present an Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. For the last several months, drama teachers throughout the country have been eligible to be nominated for this prestigious award.

We are proud to announce that we have nominated, for this year’s first ever Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education,

Mr. Ken Sarkis.

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Each Nomination had to be accompanied by three Letters of Recommendation. Mr. Sarkis’s letters were written by former Palm Valley School Headmaster Graham Hookey; Mr. David Mule, father of Jake and Max; and former Palm Valley Student Jake Phillips, currently studying theatre arts at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in New York City.

This spring three Finalists will be announced by the Tony Awards. Those Finalists will each receive $1,000 for their schools, a flight to New York City, hotel accommodations, and an invitation to the 69th Annual Tony Awards Ceremony at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, where the Winner will be presented with the Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education, along with a $10,000 cash prize for his or her school.

Whether or not Mr. Sarkis ends up a Finalist, we know that, here at our school, in our community, in our lives and in our hearts, he is indeed our Tony Winner.

For Excellence in Theatre Education: Mr. Ken Sarkis

The Tony Awards’ 1st Ever Annual

To be presented at the
69th Annual Tony Awards Ceremony June 7 2015
Radio City Music Hall
New York City

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Ken Sarkis, Drama Teacher Extraordinaire, Palm Valley School

We proudly nominate

Mr. Ken Sarkis Educator Extraordinaire

to honor his 50 years of bringing passion, imagination, creativity, joy, & an intense love of the theatre
to thousands of young boys and girls

Excerpts from the Nominating Essays:

Nominator Mr. Chris Griffin–

Ken Sarkis has been teaching middle school kids on both coasts for over 50 years, and has become a living legend. Equal parts magician and taskmaster – able to tap into a kid’s inner creative spirit and show him the way to express it – he is a bracing drill sergeant demanding the very best of his charges, and an embracing father figure full of love and generosity. Hundreds of middle school students have gone through his exacting, challenging, inspiring drama program – in which, along with the skills required to appear on stage, they learn the value of self-control, discipline, integrity, honesty, accountability and teamwork. He shouts, he cajoles, he threatens, he sweetens, he sets the bar high and demands that that bar be reached, he digs deep, he encourages, he inspires – and the results are downright miraculous. He transforms a ragtag gaggle of undisciplined middle schoolers into a professional troupe of actors, emphasizing motivation, consistency, discipline, projection, articulation, harmony (both musical and social) – as well as generosity, joy and love.

. . . . I nominate Ken Sarkis for the Tony Education Award.

–Christopher Griffin English Department Palm Valley School

Parent & Boardmember Mr. David Mulé–

Ken Sarkis is a rarity in this world. He is a brilliant artist, a modest man and an extraordinary teacher. His love and achievement in the worlds of theatre and teaching combine, making him a remarkable person who has had a profoundly positive effect on the lives of the many students whom he has taught over the years. Ken Sarkis is deserving of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award because the phrase so aptly describes the man.

. . . . Having seen first-hand the effects of his work as an artist and a teacher on the lives of so many students, he is most deserving of this award.

–Respectfully submitted, David B. Mulé

Former Head of School Mr. Graham Hookey–

I had the good fortune of being the senior administrator in the school Ken worked in for nine years, (Palm Valley School) from 1999-2008. With little experience in anything other than what I would classify as the “standard” arts programs in 99% of schools, I had the most amazing experience to see Ken take the middle school drama program in our school and turn it into a cultural phenomenon. Ken’s dedication to the performing arts saw his students blossom into exceptional speakers (many students went on to win titles and scholarships through state Shakespeare competitions and public speaking contests), impressive actors, singers and dancers and, most of all, thoughtful, respectful and hard-working young people. In the school, it WAS “cool” to aspire to high performance in academics, arts and athletics all at the same time. That “culture” graduated large proportions of high school students who were extremely well accomplished in all three areas, chased with outstanding scholarship opportunities by colleges across the country.

I have been in education for 35 years and a senior administrator for 25. In that time I have had the good fortune of working with many excellent educators. But like his students, no one has ever had the same impact on my own value system and dedication to education as Ken has had. Truly, he is extraordinary, and has my deepest respect.

–Graham Hookey, Head of School

Former Student Mr. Jake Phillips–

March 30, 2009. I am just returning from an after-school cross-country meet. There’s a teacher sitting in a small auditorium, penning the last few pages of a play he’s written for his middle school students. It’s past 7 p.m., and he’s been free to go home for hours now, but he doesn’t. Instead he stays and works on this play which he’s been constructing for months. His eyes are red. “I’m tired, Jakey,” he says to me, but this self-acknowledgement only makes him smile to himself and propels him deeper into the world he’s creating. Being thirteen, I remember wondering why anyone would want to stay at school a moment longer then they had to, so I ask him, “Why are you still here, Sarkis?” He stops writing and looks up at me, “Because I owe these kids something good.” I left shortly after, but I still don’t think he left until early morning. Ken Sarkis became my hero that night.

As a thirteen year-old kid, I didn’t understand why he would want to stay at school so late for his students, but now it has never been so clear. He fills the need he has found – the need for creative spark, for discipline, the need to model the genuine joy of the creative process and the love of theatre for all his students. What an extraordinary teacher.

–Jake Phillips
Freshman
NYU Tisch – Playwrights Horizons Theatre School

*The Bird on Fire has learned that there were 750 teachers nominated for the award around the country. The list was cut to 25. Mr. Sarkis is in that list of 25. The announcement of the top three finalists is to be made this week. Keep your fingers crossed. Mr. Sarkis may be headed to New York City this June!!!