Jurupa Middle School’s bold drumline welcomed community members to the We heART the ARTs event in late February. The sound of their bass drums, cymbals, and xylophones captured the attention of visitors as they found their way to the Jurupa Unified Education Center.
Jurupa Unified School District hosted the first We heART the ARTs event to showcase Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs and student creativity.
“Students, parents, and teachers were invited not only to attend, but to engage in the art activities and performances,” said Dr. Mary Boules, Coordinator of Expanded Learning Opportunities and Visual Arts. “The arts, in a unique way, (gives) the opportunity to bring out the best and the creative nature of our students.”
Families enjoyed exciting performances, including Granite Hill Elementary’s international folk dance, Mira Loma Middle School’s choir, and Rubidoux High School’s color guard. Attendees expressed their creativity by contributing to a heart mural, decorating masks, creating pins, and dancing and singing with VAPA teachers and students.
All of the hands-on activities families participated in were part of JUSD’s exciting VAPA program. Jurupa Unified offers VAPA instruction from Transitional Kindergarten to 12th grade. Seven VAPA teachers support the arts at all elementary schools.
Hannah Moreno, Mission Bell Elementary sixth grader, grew confident and became an involved student after she joined band.
“Even though it seems challenging, I stay focused on doing what I love thanks to being in band,” Hannah said.
Being in band helped Hannah learn to get outside of her comfort zone, to communicate, and to be a problem solver, she said. Now, she is the treasurer of the EarlyAct club and is a cheerleader.
“There are so many benefits of art education for students,” said Juana Rodriguez, Patriot High School theatre teacher. “It is vital for their creativity and to give them an outlet outside of their core subjects and companionship.”
Patriot High School’s Dramatis Personae theatre invited audience members to become part of their performance and act alongside them.
“I love educating people (about) theatre. I just want everyone to know about (theatre) and the passion that I feel,” said Samantha Banuelos, Patriot High School 12th grader.
Samantha also found confidence, comfort, and direction when she joined theatre as a freshman.
“I realized I have a brighter future further from high school,” said Samantha. “The friends I have made along the way in theatre have made me the person that I am.”
Samantha plans to major in Zoology at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, but theatre influenced her to become an educator, she said.
For Matthew Uribe, an eighth grader in Jurupa Middle School’s drumline and choir, music teaches him life lessons and new skills.
”I play music, and it helps (me) to focus and to relieve (stress) to have fun,” said Matthew. “(Music) makes you find new friends.”
Matthew has loved music since a young age and plans to continue his interests in choir or drumline next year in high school.
“After elementary, students (can) hone in on their passions and skills,” said Dr. Boules. “There are so many avenues that our students can take. I am so proud of our VAPA team from elementary to high school because of the love that they instill in our students to explore and use their imaginations and really let the arts take over and let them be expressive in their nature.“
