Imagining Creativity at Rio Vista

Karaina Perkins, Student author

Imagine, the follow up collaboration to Pandora's Box between DATA Digital Imaging and Rio Vista Elementary third graders is now in full motion!

On January 24th, 16 high school students visited RV to work with 32 excited and talented youngsters to read and develop sketches for this year's integrated arts and literacy project. On January 31st, PSUSD VPA Specialist Louisa Castrodale worked with the elementary students as they added color to the drawings. From there, Di students began scanning and re-creating the children's work with Photoshop in preparation for the digital books and video.

The story this year, Unicorns and Trash Cans, was written in response to this year's DigiCom theme by 3rd grader Karaina Perkins as part of a grade level story development challenge. Additional layers to this year's project will include a collaborative gallery exhibit with local artists, as well as an interactive book for the iPad.

We can only imagine what more is to come!

Leadership Skills Earn Regional Gold

Congratulations to the 13 brave DATA students who earned gold at our first SkillsUSA regional leadership competition! The students swept the competition with their interpersonal, design, and presentation skills at Apple Valley High School on Saturday, January 28th. All students have earned a spot at the 45th Annual State Leadership Conference and SkillsUSA Championships held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, Ca. from April 12th through the 15th.

Extemporaneous Speaking 

Senior Vincent Edwards

Senior Daniel Rivera

Prepared Speech

Junior Taylor Burns

Junior Linda Ha

Job Skill Demonstration

Sophomore Jonathan Serna

Job Interview

Senior Jasmine Mikulak

Sophomore Jennifer Varela

Chapter Display Teams

Juniors Melissa Munoz, Kaylin Murphy, Mariah Wells

and

Seniors Dennis Keat, Jesus Galarza, Kim Vega

* * * * * * * * * * *

A very special thank you to the following community partners for their contribution in helping students prepare for the leadership competition series!

Chas Allen, owner of PhotoColorgraphix

La Sonya Brummel-Pitts, PSUSD Director of Classified Human Resources 
and

Dr. Lorri McCune

Di Tours Ace Printing

On January 10th, a group of Di students visited Ace Printing in Palm Springs in preparation for the upcoming SkillsUSA Graphics Communications competition series and gain a peek into the work flow of local commercial printing. Students received a tour of the plant and spent the morning learning directly from owners Mark and Greg Lawrence and manager Sandy Miller as materials for Big Horn and The Humana Challenge were in full production.  This opportunity provided a great deal of practical information to students that simply could not be practiced in the classroom.

A huge thank you to 

We look forward to visiting again soon!