Many local schools are beginning to think about graduation but SAY Sí, the afterschool youth program that says it “unfolds lives through art,” is getting ready to graduate 18 seniors in just a couple weeks.
“On Friday, May 2, which is the First Friday here in the Southtown Arts District, and it’s from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.,” said Artistic Executive Director Jon Hinojosa. He said that for the graduation, graduates’ art output will be showcased for all to see.
"There’ll be films, and digital imaging. Additionally, we’ll be having our youth theater, which is called ALAS performing," he said. "And then there will be a lot of visual arts, because the visual arts high school is the largest group of students graduating, and so people can see paintings and sculpture.”
I asked him if SAY Sí's 100 percent graduation rate has continued this year.
“Yeah, this year again," he said. "We’re really proud. This is the 11th year that 100 percent of our seniors are graduating from high school. And more importantly, 100 percent again are going on to colleges.”
I asked if SAY Sí's objectives weren't for all their graduates to become artists.
“It isn’t, and in fact we have students across the country doing a variety of different focus areas,” Hinojosa said.
As many parents might be wondering, how do young people qualify to come to SAY Sí?
"We are tuition free, so we don’t charge anything for our programs, but it is a competitive process. You have to apply. There’s a requirement for being a positive influence for the studios that they’re in," Hinojosa said.
- For more on SAY Sí visit: www.saysi.org
