Showcase highlights student talents, interests

Showcase highlights student talents, interests
Posted on 05/01/2019
Staff choice winner Christopher Crandell and his family.Plumas Charter School staff, teachers, family, friends, and community members filled the Taylorsville Historic Hall on April 24 to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Indian Valley Academy, and Greenville Learning Center students at the school’s second annual Showcase.

Student projects lined the walls and parking area. From a race car to a medicine bag, history documentaries to cooking demonstrations, art murals to vocal performances, the project subjects were as varied and unique as the students themselves.

After a potluck dinner served to 150-plus diners, the audience gathered to watch and listen to live performances from students who had chosen song, dance, and monologue as their Showcase subjects. Younger students from Plumas Charter School’s Greenville Learning Center also made special guest appearances.

PCS Executive Director Taletha Washburn, who attended with her daughters, said she was “really impressed with the quality of the event and the students’ achievements. I was very proud.”

IVA teacher and Site Director Ryan Schramel thanked parents for their support: “We really appreciate you affording us the opportunity to work with your kids—we’ve had a ton of fun.

“People ask: Why Showcase? Well, projects are a lot like life: sometimes they’re bigger than we thought. Sometimes they don’t go the way we thought they would. But it’s all about adapting and overcoming.”

After offering a special thanks to administrative assistant Pam Lyman for her help facilitating the event, Schramel turned the microphone over to teacher and Showcase organizer Veronica Tilton. She thanked families and community members for attending. “Attendance makes it more valuable for kids,” she said. “Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge their effort.”

Finally, she announced the winners: Staff Choice went to Christopher Crandell for his handmade cedar coffee table. People’s Choice went to Elijah Barnes for his vocal performance of “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. And Student Choice went to Ben Cassol for his custom bumper fabrication project.

Thanks to generous local businesses, each winner received a prize packet consisting of a free sandwich coupon from Young’s Market, a coupon for a free piece of pie from Hanson’s Homemade, and a variety pack of jerky from Riley’s Jerky.

Tilton ended by looking forward to the next iteration of the annual event: “Kids, start thinking about what you’d like to do next year!”

By Ingrid Burke, I. Burke Writing & Editing
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In the photo: Anthony and Dana Crandell pose with their son Christopher after he was awarded the Staff Choice prize for his hand-planed cedar coffee table. The Crandells, who cut the cedar from their property, said they hope to someday start a family furniture-making business.  Photo by Ingrid Burke

    Get a taste of Showcase performances via our YouTube channel!