Senior Mastery

CM is a student-produced literary magazine. The class runs like a working publishing company divided into departments with different duties, schedules, and deadlines.  Students in CM get a taste of what it is like to work in the real world as a writer, editor, photographer, or graphic designer. Students go on field trips, host guest speakers, and learn from professionals. They also develop a unique bond through collaboration and teamwork. They have weekly staff meetings, celebrate staff birthdays, and work together to complete projects and prepare for school-wide fundraisers. Conchita Magazine has been the springboard for igniting the desire to follow careers in journalism.

Requirements: Interested students should have good leadership and organizational skills and be interested in working hard alongside a motivated and dedicated team. A three-paragraph essay is required for consideration. In the first paragraph, tell about yourself. In the second, tell what you know about CM, and in the third, tell why you think CM is the place for you. Writing sample must be submitted to Ms. Carol Diaz- Zubieta by Thursday, August 30.

Returning Students: Students who were members of Conchita Magazine last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in magazine last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff.

Cross Country requires students to run long distances. Students are expected to arrive on time in proper running attire (regulation shorts, shirt, and running shoes). Students run two to four miles daily at different paced intervals in order to vary the routine and give the students a well-rounded and solid foundation as they begin to understand what cross country and track style running consists of. Also, by changing the methods in which students run, the coaches are able to identify each runner’s strengths of each runner and best place him/her in the various yearly track meet events. Select students attend interscholastic meets throughout the school year.

Students enjoy the daily morning news thanks to the hard work of the dedicated CTV staff.  Each day students write, film, and edit the news for CEA, as well as work to create their own podcast.  Limited and ever-changing resources call for the ability to constantly find creative and innovative ways to get the job done in a limited amount of time.  If a student enjoys writing, taking pictures and video, and working with iMovie, he/she can further develop those interests in CTV. 

Requirements: CTV looks for students with strong communication skills who are looking to further develop and enhance these skills. CTV seeks reporters who are involved in other school activities (sports, conservatory, etc.) and who are able to stay after school or come on weekends to film and be present at various school events. CTV students must have a proactive and positive attitude, be able to work individually and in a group, meet deadlines, and be willing to step outside his or her comfort zone.  Students are asked to submit a short film explaining why they want to be a part of CTV. The movie should be emailed to cdiazzubieta@conchitaespinosa.com, cjolliff@conchitaespinosa.com, and evalls@conchitaespinosa.com.

Returning Students: Students who were members of CTV last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in CTV last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff. Fee: $70 materials fee.

Conchita Espinosa Youth Dance Ensemble (CEYDE) is dedicated to enhancing the dance training for CEA’s dancers in various dance styles.  This program has a junior level and a senior level and aims to help provide students with the tools needed for performance in the professional world.  In today’s dance world, the dancer must be extremely versatile as this art form continues to develop and, therefore, classes focus on ballet and modern technique with other styles taught whenever possible.  Students also study the “progressive ballet technique” which is a specific body conditioning class, with the use of various simple equipment.

Field trips to performances, workshops, or a combination of both, in or out of town, are an integral part of the training.  The goal is not only to improve technique and offer performance opportunities, but also to develop the human inside.  Dance cannot be considered an art if it is executed without a soul.

Requirements:  Students must have a desire and a passion to pursue dance and the ability to work hard.  Students wishing to be a part of the Dance Mastery program must audition at the beginning of the year on all specified days and must be enrolled in ballet in the Conchita Espinosa Conservatory of the Arts.  Once accepted into CEYDE, students are expected to commit fully to the program, which includes consistent attendance to all Conservatory classes, rehearsals, workshops, master classes, competitions, and field trips that are scheduled at the beginning of the year.  Please note that most of these are NOT during school hours and, therefore, this program does require extra commitment, not just from the students but also the parents.  There are also extra costs, including, but not limited to, uniform, field trips, master classes and competitions.  The cost can vary for each student, but an approximate cost of main events will be discussed in the first meeting at the beginning of the year. 

Fee: $30 equipment fee.  There are also extra costs which include, but are not limited to the dance mastery uniform, field trips, master classes and competitions.

Future Teachers work with Kindergarten – 4th Grade classrooms helping the classroom teacher with grading and filing students work, creating bulletin boards, and small group and individual tutoring.  As a future teacher you follow in Conchita’s footsteps helping to ignite a love of learning and a desire to make things “mejor, mejor, y mejor.”  Future Teachers are Conchita’s legacy.  Students will undergo training to develop skills and methods for working with children.

Requirements:  Students should love working with young children, be proactive, and be willing to work.  Interviews – Thursday, August 30.

Returning Students: Students who were members of Future Teacher last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in Future Teachers last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff.

Music Ensemble is designed for students interested in developing their passion for music. Students should have previous music experience and take at least one hour of private music lessons in their instrument each week. Faculty work with students on an individual basis to strengthen their technical skills as musicians, as well as participate in ensemble work. The Music Ensemble prepares several performances each year.   Members of the Music Ensemble who meet the criteria will also be eligible for induction into the Tri- M Music Honor Society.

Requirements: Audition – Tuesday, August 28.  Students in Music Ensemble must be enrolled in a Conchita Espinosa Conservatory music class.

Returning Students: Students who were members of Music Ensemble last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in Music Ensemble last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff.

Fee: $100 fee for use of instruments.

STEAM Mastery strengthens students’ abilities to be creative and flexible problem-solvers.  Through STEAM projects, students learn by inventing, creating, designing and understanding the true meaning of design.  Students work with the laws of science (physics and engineering) and math.  Challenges include designing an egg parachute, building a bridge to scale, programming a robot, coding, creating online video games and reverse engineering.

Requirements:  Students are expected to explore different ideas, to recognize failures as opportunities for discovery and communicate well with others.  Resilience is a key factor to success in STEAM.  Short essay submission is required. Write 1-2 paragraphs explaining why you want to be a part of STEAM. Essay must be submitted to Ms. Carol Diaz-Zubieta by Thursday, August 30.

Returning Students: Students who were members of STEAM last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in STEAM last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff. Fee: $150 equipment fee.

Students are introduced to foundational acting techniques through this process-oriented mastery.  Theatre focuses on ensemble building, voice and movement, environment, relationships, purpose/objectives, monologues, and scene study.  Students work as a collective to refine their storytelling abilities with a deeper understanding of human behavior.  Performance opportunities will be consistently available during the year.

Requirements: Students in Senior Mastery must be enrolled in Conservatory Theatre.  Students in Conservatory Theatre will take part in the Spring Mainstage Production. Conservatory Theatre includes certain Saturday rehearsals which are scheduled as necessary.

New Students: Group auditions for Theater Mastery will take place on Wednesday, August 28. No preparation is necessary.

Returning Students: Please prepare the monologue you worked on in class last year.   Fee: $55 fee for rehearsal and production costs.

The goal for Visual Arts and Art Appreciation is to give students knowledge of the historical perspective of art, as well as introduce the classical techniques of each of the movements studied in class. Classes take a classical approach to teaching drawing and painting, as well as the history of art. The program goes beyond arts and crafts; students learn how to “see” in a new way, as well as to view, discuss, and create art masterpieces. Students learn to draw as if their hands are an extension of their eyes. Students learn, as did artists in the Renaissance, by studying and copying from the great masters as well as looking at the world around them and discovering their own artistic visions. Students work individually and in groups.

Technology is used to research different arts and periods of art. Visits to museums and other art-related events pertaining to class discussion will occur during the year.

Requirements: Applicants should have a passionate interest in art since students are expected to spend at least 2 hours a week working in their sketchbooks and researching masterpieces. Portfolio submission is required and should include current sketchbook with more than 10 pages completed and 1 original art work (size 8½” x 11″) along with a paragraph or two about the artwork/or interest in art. Name and homeroom should be on the back of the sketchbook and the artwork. The portfolio should be turned in to Mrs. Vazquez by Thursday, August 30th and will be returned.

Returning Students: Students who were members of Visual Arts last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in Visual Arts last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff. Fee: $120 materials fee.

Choir has been a tradition at CEA for over 50 years. By audition only, CEA Youth Choir has been nationally and internationally recognized for its excellence as a children’s chorale. They perform several times a year in various venues. In the past they have performed in Puerto Rico, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and at Disney.  Students will participate vocal ensembles in a variety of choral styles including concert choir, show choir, soloists, duets, small vocal jazz ensemble, etc.  The CEA choir sings in different languages and in a variety of musical styles from Mozart to The Beatles.  They will also learn sight singing skills. Students meeting the criteria will be eligible for induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Requirements:  Audition – Tuesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 30

Returning Students: Students who were members of Voice last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in Voice last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff.

Fee: $50 fee for rehearsal and production costs.

Legado, the CEA yearbook, is devoted to capturing moments that are turned into memories.  Students work year-round to produce the school yearbook.  Staff members collaborate, lead, advise, teach, train, delegate, and solve problems on a daily basis.  They generate graphic designs and layouts and work together to make each yearbook unique.  They learn how to use a professional camera and how to edit and create beautiful pictures.  Assigned students are responsible for being present at all CEA functions to take pictures and accurately document all happenings for the yearbook.  Yearbook staff are be required to take turns after school to take conservatory pictures when needed.

Requirements: An essay detailing reasons and abilities for being a part of the program is required and must be submitted to Ms. Jolliff.

Returning Students: Students who were members of Yearbook last year must submit two paragraphs answering the questions: What did you learn in Future Teachers last year? and What do you have to contribute now? This must be submitted by Thursday, August 29, to Ms. Jolliff.