Weekly Media Roundup - May 2, 2012

Deming High School’s afterschool program, Danzantes del Cielo Ballet Folklorico, is performing with the school’s Mariachi bands to pay tribute to the senior class at a farewell concert. The performance will also serve as an early celebration for Cinco de Mayo.

 

Hundreds of Compton inner city youth – some as young as five – are learning to fly thanks to an afterschool program from Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum. Students must finish their homework, help each other with their studies, and do chores around the airport – like wash airplanes and sweep the hangar to earn flight time. Nine-year-old Jose Pineda told CNN, “If I didn't have this place, I’d be a lazy boy having Fs in school. Now, I'm one of the top students in the class. It’s like taking baby steps, but now you can run.”

 

Afterschool students in kindergarten through third grade showcased their drawings and art projects at an art show earlier this week. The students spent a year expressing themselves through art and creating pastel drawings, clay angels and more. Some of the projects will be sold in the program’s annual art show and auction in June. Gabriel’s House is an afterschool program for at-risk young students in Duncan. 

 

The Danville Public Library hosted a “Zombie Prom” for afterschool students to encourage young people to read. The students dressed up, complete with oozing fake blood, and danced around the library. Despite tightening local budgets, the library said it will continue to host special events that encourage young people to read.