As many of you know, Jerry Freedman and I traveled to Boston, Massachusetts this past weekend.  I never felt more honored to be a part of the LACHSA community as I did this weekend.  While the official purpose of our visit was to host a LACHSA alumni reception for Boston-based LACHSA alumni our visit included so much more. 

I was invited to participate in a panel discussion entitled Building Professional Learning Communities hosted at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  As many may be aware, Harvard is perhaps the leading institution for education research; its practices and alumni infuse the entire region and its research creates a ripple effect on education policy and schools globally. The audience was aspiring school leaders from various parts of the globe-Nigeria, India, Iran, among other countries-and from all regions of the United States.  They were each charged with designing a mission-driven school that they hoped to create and lead one day and this panel discussion served to inform them on their journey. 

Because of our clarity of mission as an arts high school, LACHSA has enjoyed a real alignment of practices in recent years that drives our work.  Social studies faculty Jerry Freedman accompanied me and attended this session as well.  His improvisational and inspirational participation added rich texture to the conversation.  I was proud to represent LACHSA and discuss the important work in teaching and learning our faculty have undertaken in the last two years.

Day Two: Alumni Reception 

Berklee College of Music was the host and site of our Boston-based alumni event: LACHSA goes to Beantown!  We have an ever-increasing focus on alumni at LACHSA and this event truly served to reconnect, reengage, and renew existing relationships with and among LACHSA alumni.   

Alumni from the Class of '92, the Class of '98, and all throughout the last decade ventured out into the frigid Boston cold to see one another and of course, the legendary Jerry Freedman.  Jazz faculty Jason Goldman in Boston with our award-winning jazz combo was a big draw for alums as well.  The night was full reliving vivid memories and creating new ones as alumni and future alumni converged.  As you know, our alumni have gone on to truly world-class institutions--Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Boston University, MIT, New School University and NYU, among others and all were represented at this event.   I was pleased to meet alums from years past and connect with recent graduates.  I was so proud to be a part of such a special evening.  Our current LACHSA students, in Boston to compete at the Berklee high School Jazz Festival, served as the house band.  One after another our alums joined in the relentless and spontaneous jam session.  I wish to thank Todd Hawkins and the entire LACHSA Alumni Association who were intimately involved in the planning and support of this event.

Pictured above from left:  Diana Steinberg '92 (d), principal George Simpson, Evelyn Yamauchi '98 (m) faculty Jerry Freedman, Marivic Guevara '98 (t), Tomashi Jackson '98 (va) 

Day Three: Berklee High School Jazz Festival 

The following day, our LACHSA jazz combo competed at the festival.  Our LACHSA alums, eager to hear this fine group of young musicians, returned to support our students and celebrated as our combo was awarded top honors with a 1^st place win at the festival.  Under the direction of jazz faculty Jason Goldman, graduates from LACHSA's jazz program emerge as extraordinary young musicians.  This reputation was only further solidified by their win.  For all of the highlights from this festival click here.

We will continue our focus on cultivating our relationships with LACHSA alumni.  Our emerging Distinguished Alumni Series will continue to provide information and inspiration to our current students and reinforce LACHSA's lasting (enduring) legacy.