Tag: PAAL

  • PAAL Hosts “Lost in Art”

    PAAL Hosts “Lost in Art”

    On November 6 Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders (PAAL) hosted its second annual art showcase event featuring artists from Poly and PAAL. The stage never failed to have a presence, as spoken word artists, rappers, singers and dancers all came together to ensure entertainment was always provided.
    While performing artists showcased their talents outside on the stage, visual artists’ work was displayed inside the gallery. Artists were given total creative liberty with their work, and a diversity of styles and subjects were present throughout the gallery room. Among the types of art displayed were paintings, drawings and sculptures. Topics present in the art often included Poly, society, and mental health, among others.
    Attendees were not only able to immerse themselves among the art created by others, but also to take a chance and create art of their own. With stations like “Paint a Tree Ring” or “Paint a Canvas”, adults and children alike were provided the tools such as acrylic paint and brushes to create their own masterpieces.
    One of the students behind organizing this event was senior Jessica Cubias, student council co-president at PAAL. Cubias said it was her favorite event of the year as it allowed students to connect to the paintings, the artists, and the music.
    “Painting brings out what people are afraid to let out,” said Cubias.
    The night’s line up consisted of performing artists such as Aermoongi, Mac, Money Traxx, KDI, T-Lost and many more.
    “Not many schools give student artists a chance to present their art,” said Mac Harris, spoken word artist and PAAL alumni. “Art is everywhere and this event becomes an outlet which elevates that.”
    “Lost in Art” was an event student council voted to keep and lead artist Ivan Rojas and PAAL seniors, as a class, collaborated together to ensure the night was a success.
    Art can help cope and manage emotional pain, one of the reasons Activities Specialists and Restorative Justice course teacher Marisol Ibañez-Tintorer feels this event is important.
    “It’s about giving everyone a voice,” she said, “everyone’s voice matters.”
    PAAL hosted events are open to all Poly students and it is important for Poly to support its sister campus.
    “We are a part of Poly and they’re a part of us,” said Ibañez-Tintorer.

  • A Marvelous Movie Night

    On March 8, at 6:00pm, Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders (PAAL) movie night took place.
    The movie airing was Avengers: Infinity War. As you walked onto the PAAL campus, handmade posters of characters apart of Marvel were hung, welcoming viewers.

    Before the showing of the feature film there was a tribute to Stan Lee, as he recently passed away, and showed all the cameos he made in every Marvel movie, and even shows and other features.
    Although the movie night took place at PAAL, Oyuki Rosales stated she want to “expose [PAAL] to the outside,” to Poly as they “don’t have a good connection”. Rosales wanted that to be established.

    There was a month of preparation put in place, and the decision in choosing a Marvel movie to be shown, was up to the coordinators, Rosales and Angel Ramirez, as they “love Marvel” and it was the “last movie night” of the year, especially since it would be the seniors last movie night.

  • PAAL Students Under the STARS

    On October 26, PAAL had its second annual “Monsters Under the Stars” horror movie night. It took place on the PAAL campus, which is located on Long Beach Boulevard and 16th Street. The hosts of the event had mixed feelings concerning the overall turnout.

    “The night was successful,” said Marisol Ibanez, the Activities Director and a teacher from PAAL.

    “Roughly 75 students attended. That’s approximately 25% of the campus, which is really impressive. However, we only had about two students from the Poly campus show up, which is really disappointing, because we expected a larger Poly audience. ”

    The campus was lit up with orange and purple lights, and the movie was projected on an inflatable screen.

    “The design of the campus quad is like an outdoor amphitheatre, which creates these natural steps for people to sit and chill with blankets and pillows,” Ibanez said.

    PAAL students chose to screen 1408, which is about a father who loses his daughter and becomes a paranormal investigator who stays at a haunted hotel where no one can leave. Before the sun went down, scary short films were played before 1408  started rolling its tape.

    In comparison, “PSC is basically the ASB at PAAL,” Ibanez said.

    “PAAL has no formal representation on the Poly ASB. That’s why we are working together to support one another. Mr. Puth came to show his support for the event, and it was greatly appreciated. It takes a lot of resources to host an event, and we need Poly’s support to transition our events from events that foster a positive campus community and experience to events that generate income.”