Eight students from throughout Contra Costa County attended the 2008 Arts Scholars Ceremony on July 8.  They are among 16 county students recognized as "California Arts Scholars" selected by the state's InnerSpark program.  Many of these gifted and talented students will participate in an intensive pre-professional training program at the California State Summer School for the Arts, which will be held at the campus of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia.  The four-week training program will provide students with a supportive environment where they will hone acquired skills and explore new techniques and ideas in their chosen arts discipline.

Created by the California Legislature, the purpose of InnerSpark is to provide a training ground for future artists who wish to pursue careers in the arts and entertainment industries in California.  For more information about InnerSpark, visit their website at www.csssa.org.

Pictured from left to right are Stephen Erdmann, Aaron Long, Alexander Franco, Supervisor Federal Glover, Sage Donpineo,  P. J. Shelton (AC5 Commissioner and Vice Chair), Brie Hiramine, Tomy Wilkerson, Mathew Loudon and Preston Platt.

Arranged by AC5, the Arts Scholars Ceremony took place at 9:30 am during the Board of Supervisors meeting in the County Administration Building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez.  In a resolution presented by Contra Costa County District V Supervisor and Chair Federal D. Glover, sixteen county students were officially declared "California Arts Scholars" at the ceremony.  Contra Costa County Supervisors John M. Gioia (District I), Gayle B. Uilkema (District II), Mary N. Piepho (District III) and Susan Bonilla (District IV) and AC5 Commissioner and Vice Chair P.J. Shelton also participated in the Arts Scholars Ceremony with AC5 Executive Director Robin Moore.

The sixteen students from Contra Costa County that have been selected as 2008 California Arts Scholars are listed below by arts discipline, name, home city and high school.  Select samples of the student's work are available below, also.

Animation

Preston Platt, Walnut Creek, Northgate High School (see his animation video below)

Creative Writing

Devin Abbott, Lafayette, Acalanes High School

Marissa Bertucci , Concord , Northgate High School 

Marissa Bertucci Writing Sample

Sage Donpineo, El Sobrante, East Bay Waldorf School

Sage Donpineo Writing Sample

Annelyse Gelman, Orinda, Miramonte High School

Annelyse Gelman Writing Sample

Brie Hiramine, Danville, Monte Vista High School

Matthew Loudon, Orinda, Orinda Academy

Andrea Nguyen, Antioch, Deer Valley High School

Andrea Nguyen Writing Sample

Tomy Wilkerson, El Sobrante, Middle College High

Tomy Wilkerson Writing Sample

Film/Video

Stephen Erdmann, Kensington, St. Mary's College High School (see his film below)

Will Provost, Richmond, Albany High School

Music Instrument

                       Aaron Long, Danville, Monte Vista High School (to hear his music sample, your computer needs QuickTime)

Michelle Roginsky, Walnut Creek, Northgate High School

Visual Arts

Kaila Chang, Pleasant Hill, Benicia High School

Brittany Padon, Moraga, Campolindo High School