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Rio Hondo College News

MEDIA ALERT
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601 / 562-692-0921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Merle Enriquez   Secretary
Department: Planning and Development
Phone:  (562) 692-0921  Ext. 3412
Rio E-Mail: MEnriquez@riohondo.edu

PRESS ADVISORY
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601 / 562-692-0921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Valerie E. Martinez
RELEASE DATE: March 30, 2006 Anne K. Turner
(562) 789-4047

RIO HONDO COLLEGE DANCE PROGRAM RECEIVES HONORS AT IN THE AMERICAN COLLEGE DANCE FESTIVAL

Whittier-The Rio Hondo College Dance Program participated in the American College Dance Festival Association's Southwest Region Conference, March 15th through 18th at California State University, Sacramento. The very prestigious festival provides the venue for students to engage in three days of workshops, lecture/ demonstrations and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country.

The American College Dance Festival Association's (ACDFA) primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. The festivals also provide the unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum. Culminating with the presentation of pieces selected for their exemplary artistic quality, the biennial festivals are the primary means for college and university dance programs to perform outside their own academic setting and be exposed to the diversity of the national college dance world.

“It is important for our students to have the opportunity to hone their skills at these conferences,” said Gary Mendez, President of Rio Hondo College’s Board of Trustees. “I am very proud of our Dance Program and pleased that other schools in our region have been able to see expertise and quality of our dance students.”

The festival was a huge success for the Rio Hondo College Dance Program and specifically for Michael Prak who had his solo selected from 46 dance pieces to be performed at the Gala Concert. The Gala Concert highlights the best pieces in each area from the conference. This is a particularly significant honor as Mr. Prak’s piece was chosen from a field of performers representing dance programs from UCLA, Stanford, and UC Berkley.

“We are all extremely proud of Michael,” said Lauren Kearns, the Director of Dance at Rio Hondo College. “As a result of his performance Michael is being recruited by several schools such as Chapman, St. Mary’s, and Cal State Long Beach.”

Michael Prak was not the only Rio Hondo College student to receive good news at the Conference, Jackie Baker, a second year dance major at Rio Hondo College, found out that she was accepted into the University of Oregon Dance Department beginning this fall.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to both Michael and Jackie,” said Mendez. “They are wonderful examples of the kinds of students that choose Rio Hondo College.”

“The high quality curriculum that we offer at Rio Hondo College serves as a spring board to success for our students,” said Dr. Rose Marie Joyce, President of Rio Hondo College. “Our unique environment prepares our students to excel in rigorous academic environments.”

Located in Whittier, California, Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality educational offering - including programs and courses leading to transfer and vocational degrees and certificates - for its diverse students and community. For information on the College or its programs, please call 562-692-0921 or visit www.riohondo.edu .

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-RHC-

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