OUR VOICES, OURSELVES

OUR VOICES, OURSELVES

By Daniel Osorio

The first-ever Gala at Alum Rock High School – Downtown College Prep (ARHS – DCP) was an incredible achievement. A remarkable event that showcased student voice and experience in over thirty student created films, featuring a live band and folklórico performances. The audience witnessed the transformative power of education in action through this platform created for students by students to genuinely express themselves and be authentically heard. The event highlighted how our shared experience and personal stories are our power, through which we can explore who we truly are – where we get to define, rather than be defined.

I felt a huge support from our community. It was a great reflection of our cumulative voices and the faces represented on screen. It is important to have representation on screen for our audiences because it helps them to see themselves and the reality they live in; it also reminds them that they too can support their children and community to strive for careers in film, as well.

This effort shined an impactful light on peers, families and the surrounding community, highlighting ESSJ in its power. It will undoubtedly resonate with the students for years to come, inspiring them to reach even greater heights. The goal moving forward is to get filmmakers, as well as future filmmakers, from the surrounding ESSJ area to be involved in creating, so that they too can be showcased at our next gala event as we continue to strengthen and celebrate community engagement.

Your stories live forever.

“The event highlighted how our shared experience and personal stories are our power, through which we can explore who we truly are – where we get to define, rather than be defined. ”

Gala Showcase in order of appearance

1) Our Voices, Ourselves (Event Trailer) by Josiah Osorio

2) Welcome to DCP – by Dacia Cobian

3) Spider-Man - by Dominic Moreno

4) Roots - by Michaela Sosa

5) Kill Bill - by Esmeralda Machado, Giepcia Machado and Adrianna Rocha

6) Pain - by Ashley Villalobos and Bianca Reyes

7) Superbad - by Ashley Villalobos, Bianca Reyes, Edelmann Zamudio, Ricardo Hernandez and

Jared Ulloa

8) Barbie’s Last Ride - by Mary-Kate O’Connor, Mary-Elaine O’Connor, Monica O’Connor and

Michaela Sosa

9) Gummy Bear Surprise - by Patrick De Melo, Adrian Corona and Nick Tejeda

10) Vaping Kills - by Victor Aguilera

11) We Are Who We Are - by Mary-Kate O’Connor

12) Wish You Roses - by GiteAn Rube, Isabella Rubalcaba and Polyasia Pomele-Pen

13) Jesela's World - by Gracie Lopez and Deja Richard

14) Start Now, Die Later - Alejandro Justo and Inara Acosta

15) Don't Wait, Call 988 - by Priscila Ruvalcaba

16) Indigo - by Esmeralda Machado , Giepcia Machado and Adrianna Rocha

17) Lithium - by Dacia Cobian, Dominic Moreno, Valeria Guevara-Cadenas, Brisaeis Torres and

Abigail Gomez

18) Sk8 - by Isaac Hernandez and Isaac Lopez

19) Don't Stop Me Now - by Mary-Kate O’Connor, Mary-Elaine O’Connor, Monica O’Connor and

Michaela Sosa

20) Pebble - by Hector Blanco, Imanol Martinez, Ubaldo Murillo and Erik Sanchez

21) Fantastic Voyage - by Victor Aguilera and Fabiana Contreras

22) Catfish - by GiteAn Rube, Isabella Rubalcaba and Polyasia Pomele-Pen

23) El Rescate - by Jackie Sanchez, Mariella Herrera, Gisselle Pulido and Karla Herrera

24) American Psycho by Yami Lopez

25) Freeze - by Mary-Kate O’Connor

26) Addicted to You – by Sonia Balcazar, 4 Ways Ent.

27) Stand Up! - by Daniel Osorio, East Side Hero Films

28) Future Generations - by Toby Ent.

29) The Message – by Daniel Osorio, East Side Hero Films

30) Damn Thing - Toby Ent.

31) In Broad daylight - by 4 Ways Ent.

32) Jiggy Kicks – by Himank Sharma

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