The Lynwood Unified School District community gathered virtually on April 24 for a day filled with art activities and lively band, dance, and drama performances during the District’s seventh annual Arts Festival and District Showcase.
Students, families, teachers and faculty across the District were welcomed by Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, following messages from Assemblymember Anthony Rendon, Lynwood Mayor Marisela Santana, and Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Mariana Astorga-Almanza.
Sponsored by Assemblymember Rendon, Conga Kids, P.S. Arts and The Music Center, the event featured student artwork and performances by the Pacifico Dance Company and Conga Kids.
LUSD provided arts festival supply kits for students to ensure families could create alongside LUSD teachers, engaging in activities that included: paper mosaic art with Roosevelt Elementary’s Ms. Quan; Henri Matisse artwork with Abbott Elementary’s Mrs. Barrientos, Ms. Salvador and Mrs. Spears; exploring emotions through shapes with Lynwood High School’s Ms. Younessi; and creating Monster Jam cartoons with Lynwood High School’s Mr. Vega.
The virtual festival also included an arts competition, in which students shared artwork created during the activities using hashtags #lynwoodartsfestival and #wearelynwood. Two winners were selected from each school and received an Arts Festival T-shirt.
Previously recorded performances by the Music Center, P.S. Arts, Pacifico Dance Company and LUSD bands were the standout points of the day, such as Lynwood High School’s percussion class performance of “What We Have” by Louis Rosen – which brought to life a piece that was written during the pandemic and utilizes common household items.
“This event is an example of the power of the arts to heal and unite a community through the ability to capture the spirit and energy of our talented students,” Astorga-Almanza said. “I would like to thank the Arts Festival Committee and our sponsors for helping make our event possible.”
Fifth-graders from the District’s 12 elementary schools showcased dance skills learned through Conga Kids, delighting families as they performed the cha-cha, the Charleston, the rumba, the salsa and the samba de roda.
Attendees also enjoyed special student performances from: Cesar Chavez, Hosler and Lynwood middle school bands; Firebaugh High School’s band, song and cheer and actors’ guild; and Lynwood High School’s band, dance ensemble, and cheer team.
“This year’s Arts Festival was a showcase of Lynwood talent that entertained and inspired,” Crosthwaite said. “I’m proud of each student and staff member who participated in putting together an imaginative event that raised the standard of creativity for our District.”