Tag Archives: Burbank High School

Burbank High School Arts Program Dedicates New Mural Collaboration With Nickelodeon

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Students and teachers at Burbank High School dedicated a new mural made in collaboration with Nickelodeon interns and artists on Thursday, April 18. Students from all of the Burbank High School Arts programs, including dance, film, instrumental and visual arts disciplines, celebrated with performances and an open-air art and performance space at the after school event.

The huge mural covers the quad-facing façade of the Building 2 Arts Building and wraps around towards the Wolfson Auditorium entry way.

Ana Cristina Varela is pictured with her creative mural artwork. (Photo by Ross A Benson)

“The mural represents the spirit of creativity that is the foundation of our arts at Burbank High School,” commented Jonelle Pickett, BHS Animation & Sculpture Instructor. “It is the determined thought, reflection and revision, combined with skill and dedication, that allows ALL our student artists to envision and produce extraordinary representations in a variety of artistic formats.”

“While our art forms may look divided by discipline, we are actually at root very much united in our quest to allow our students powerful ways to envision ideas and express themselves,” she added.

Burbank High senior Ana Cristina Varela shows off her design that became the new façade of the BHS Arts buiding. (Photo By Ross Benson)

“Dance, drama, vocal and instrumental music, digital design and film arts, broadcast journalism, drawing, painting, sculpture, animation, and theater tech – our students find their place to belong, to create and to shine.”

“The new mural acts as an umbrella that reminds us of this unity as it now greets students to class and guests to performances,” Pickett said.

The mural was sponsored by Nickelodeon Community Efforts (NICE) and is the first student-designed and -led NICE mural project.

Burbank High students and Nickelodeon interns collaborated to bring the new Arts building mural to life. (Photo By Ross Benson)

Senior Ana Cristina Varela, a fourth year BHS Animation student, designed the mural and “ran the entire project – from concept meetings, material lists, and scheduling to directing the painting process –  and also oversaw all the mural designed artwork,” explained Pickett.

About 20 Nickelodeon interns and artists and more than 35 Burbank High School Animation and Sculpture students worked together over one week to bring the mural to fruition.

(Photo By Ross Benson)

“BHS students were side by side with interns and artists, discussing their passion for their art form, as well as educational pathways and future possibilities,” added Pickett. “This mural transformed a space as well as minds.”

Burbank High Animation students also created a short film, t-shirts and a Snapchat filter to promote the BHS Arts collaboration.

The BHS Animation students’ film can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/KfrsHs2Iarg.

Burbank, Burroughs High Present Homecoming Courts

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As always, it was a battle on the gridiron with Burbank High coming away with a 54-20 victory by the Bulldogs over the Indians in the 70th battle between these two high schools.

Before the game, however, both schools presented their Homecoming Courts.

Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Since Burbank won the BIG GAME, we will announce their court first!

For Burbank High:

Representing the Burbank Senior Class, this year’s 2018 Homecoming

Queen: Regine Buendia and King: Julian Camacho

Photo by Ross A Benson

Representing the Burbank Senior Class are:  

Princess Dani Maurcere and Prince Kris Azizkhani.

Princess Amber Perkins and Prince Chadz Vang.

Princess Ciara Clutario and Prince Karo Kosharyan.

 

Representing the Burbank Junior Class are:  

Princess Jordan Delgado and Prince Justin Robinson

 

Representing the Burbank Sophomore Class are:  

Princess Grace Hutchin and Prince Owen Cusumano

 

Representing the Burbank Freshman Class are:  

Princess ­­­Jasmine Im and Prince Michael Aquirre

 

For Burroughs High:

Photo by © Ross A Benson

From Burroughs Senior Class, this year’s 2018 Homecoming

Queen: Michelle Tran and King: Sam Tipton

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

From Burroughs Senior Class are:

Princess Katerina Kojababian and Prince David Solis

 

From Burroughs Senior Class are:

Princess Emily Gutierrez and Prince Jagger Green

 

From Burroughs Senior Class are:

Princess Nicole Rojas and Prince Trevor Bates

 

From Burroughs Senior Class are:

Princess Faith Duston and Prince Andres Salazar

 

Representing John Burroughs High School 2017 past Homecoming Court are:

King Cerain Baker and Queen Leah Davis

Burbank High Holds Graduation Ceremonies

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Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Complete list provided by Burbank High of the Class of 2018 who graduated at Burbank High on Friday, May 25, 2018

Photographed by Edward Tovmassian

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Valentina Abadjian
Alejandro Abarca
Harout Abgaryan
Elin Aboulian
Milena Abrahamyan
Samantha Abrigo
Luis Aburto
Sofia Acosta
Cora Acton
Tristan Agakhanian
Manushak Agazaryan
Edrick Aghabaigi
Nareg Aghakian
Sune Aghakian
Jennifer Aguilar
Sergio Aguilar
Amanda Aharonian
Christan Ivan Ahorro
Ashley Akard
Taylor Akard
Arlyn Akbari
Armela Akbari
Kian Akhiary
Chawan Akkharachotmongkhol
Domenica Alban Mora
Lina Aleksandr
Jodi Alhanno
Joil (Joelle) Alhanno
Victoria Anne Alonzo
Alexis Altounian
Brandon Ambrose
Artin Amirian
Christina Amiryan
Hakob Anassian
Sarah Andrews
Jean Angel
Martin Anguiano
Cheyenne Eunice Antonio
Nicole Antounian
Noemi Apreza Lara
Karpise Arakelian
Basil Phillip Aranda
Andres Araya
Angel Arias
Jailene Arias
Elizabeth Arlington
Nicolas Armenta
Elaina Aroush
Artur Artashesyan
Seda Ashchyan
Sargis Ashikyan
Rafael Ashtamker
Christopher Aslo
Lana Aslo
Eric Avakian
Bryan Avanesyan
Ernest Avedian
Alice Avedikian
Ani Avedisian
Christine Avetian
Mary Avetisyan
Rebecca Avetyan
Lucine Ayvazian
Daniel Azarian
Mineh Azizian

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Garoon Babaian
Rodrik Babakhanians
Collette Babasi
Leon Baghoomian
Natalie Bagumyan
Mari Balbuchakyan
Michael Balyan
Erica Joy Banaag
Alex Banjarjyan
Isa Barakhaev
Sabrina Barker
Adam Barnfather
Ernesto Barragan
Cesar Barraza
Shant Barseghian
Yeva Barsegyan
Tigran Barsumyan
Alexandra Benson
Melissa Bernardo
Gabrielle Bess
Karabet Bezjian
Nicole Bishara
Carley Bisordi
Eder Bittencourt
Olivia Bodner
Astgik Boyadzhyan
Haroutiun Boyajian
Jacob Bragg
Noel Bravo
Layton Briggs
Cassandra Briseno
Ralphano Brutus
Vanessa Buenrostro
Rigoberto Bustillos

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Gabriel Caldito
Callum Campbell
Kenny Campos Bonilla
Vanessa Cano Cordero
Caterin Cardenas
Benjamin Carrillo
James Casey
Ramon Casillas
Isabel Castaneda Meza
Jesse Castro
Hakob Chagaian
Monica Chakmian
Yun Ho Chang
Reimah Chasib
Oscar Chavez
Richard Chilingirian
Justin Choe
Kevin Choe
J Young Choi
Erica Chung
Brian Cook
Daniel Cortes
Joseph Cruz
Edward Curren
Isabella Curtis
Carmen Cuza
Seth Cyphers
Jessie Czarnecki
Adam James Czeranko

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Leoni Daniel
Melissa Daniel
Nellie Daniel
Marya Daoud
Patresea Daoud
Luciano Dapuetto
Melissa De La Cruz-Garcia
Robby Deffo
Kaleb DeLeon
Abiezer Delgado Gonzalez
Byuzand Dellalyan
Claudia Derzakaeyan
Sarah Derzakarian
Naomi Deveaux
Jose Diaz
Mina Dimetrios
Xavier Dixon
Haven Dragomer
DaJohn Duplessis
Alexander Dvurechenskiy

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Nathanael Ehmann
Shanta Ervin
Pamela Escobar Galeas
Trisha Estrella
Emil Evinyan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Christian Fajardo
Miro Fakhourian
Greg Farhadian
James Farrington
Ahmad Fata
Sabrina Feldman Anaya
David Fleetwood
Omar Flores
Phoebe Forsyth
Brett Fragosa
Alexis Franke

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Elizabeth Gabrielyan
Gevork Galadzhyan
Angel Gallardo
Richard Galstian
Christ Galstyan
Joelina Garcia
Raquel Garcia
Arpi Garibyan
Rebeca Gasper
Anahit Gassabian
Harutyun Gevoglanyan
Arpi Gevorgyan
Lolita Ghadimian
Amaisa Gharabeigi
Argin Gharibian
Lania Ghazarian
Christopher Ghazarossian
Amani Ghonim
Gagik Ghukasyan
Gavin Gifford
Miles Gilmore
Gary Gindzhikyan
Ereni Girgis
Christian Gladney
Annierosa Glover
Ashley Godoy
Reginaldo Golightly
Mauricio Gomez
Alyssa Gonzalez
Anysia Gonzalez
Carla Gonzalez
Destiny Gonzalez
Jason Gonzalez
Leslie Gonzalez
Lizzette Gonzalez
Tara Goodwin
Iren Goulyan
Diana Grigoryan
Eduard Grigoryan
Grigor Grigoryan
Hovannes Grigoryan
Inessa Grigoryan
Natalie Grigoryan
Veronika Grigoryan
Emily Groom
Elizabeth Guerrero
Kaylynn Guerrero
Diana Jean Guieb
Diego Guma
Armen Gurdzhyan
Israel Gutierrez

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Thomas Hagopian
Jesika Hairapetian
Arman Hairapetyan
Selia Hairapetyansian
Savannah Haist
Karine Hakobyan
Arman Hakoop Chakerian
Cariski Hall
Natasha Hamilton
Ko Woon Han
Julia Hank
Julie Hannawi
Stephanie Harkness
Leonel Haro
Lena Harris
Maxwell Hart
Ervin Hartoonian
Emily Haykoupian
Gohar Hayrapetyan
Ariana Hernandez
Ezra Hernandez
Kamryn Hernandez
Carmen Hernandez Perez
Michael Higginbotham
Erik Higgins
Krystal Hirahara
Sarah Hirano
Yeprem Hovhannisyan
Toros Hovsepian
Nicole Howell
Rafael Huezo-Barajas
Elijah Hurry

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Iana Iassinskaia
Abigail Ibarra
Emily Idrovo
Allen Isagulyan
Shaghik Issakhan Namagerdi
Cristina Ithier
Rebecca Izquieta Hernandez

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Aryana Jamal
Dale Jang
Serene Janian
Nikki Janibekyan
Angelica Janikian
Melissa Jarrah
Mary Javoorian
Ethan Jay
Macie Jensen
Sophia Jimenez
Sunnin Jo
Willie Johnson
Rudy Jones
Erik Juharyan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Julie Kadzhabashian
Harutyun Kadzhikyan
Benjamin Kahan
Nainoa Kalama
Leila Kalliel
Valentina Kamenov
Luluva Kapadia
Emily Karapetian
Lucine Karapetian
Naira Karapetyan
Amber Kassens
Nicholas Kazarian
Stephanie Kazaryan
Samantha Keefer
Lance Kellerman
Christina Keshishian
Suzanna Keshishian
Eleen Khachatoorian
Tatev Khachikyan
Arthur Khodaverdian
Ani Khodjasarian
Negin Khoshsorour
Megan Khosravian
Narek Khudanyan
Hayk Khulyan
Amanda Kim
Caroline Kim
Darren Kim
Emory Kim
Isaac Kim
Jinoh Kim
Bella Kirakosyan
Jacqueline Kivranyan
Rayt Kiya
Natalie Kocharyan
Hakob Kostanyan
Parthvi Kothari
Alex Kroyan
Merri Kuyumjian
Elizabeth Kvryan
Giorgio Kyababchyan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Alan Langer
Erin Lashkari
Sebastian Leal
Geon Hyo Lee
Yeahoo Lee
Annabella Leonetti
Briana Leslie
Thanyanop Likornburee
Ataa Lillard
Anthony Lira
Ryan Loney
James Loney III
Kevin Lopez Lozano
Adam Lyneis
Alexandra Lyneis

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Nicolas MacDonald
Lily Machkalyan
Mane Malkhasyan
Samantha Malla
Bhavna Mamnani
James Mansour
Kayla Mansour
Katelyn Marcy
Anaies Mardirosi
Sophia Markarian
Anni Markis
Sarah Martin
Aaron Martinez Mercado
Raquelle Masoudi
Kayden Mastrangelo
Rafayel Matevosyan
Arthur Matinyan
Taylor Mayfield
Dennis McCarthy
Nicole McCord
Roger Medina
Lina Megerdichian
Dina Melkonian
Tina Melkonian
Sophie Melkonova
Maxwell Meltzer
Tamara Mendoza
Vanessa Menjivar
Layal Messelmani
Ani Mikaelyan
Evette Minassian
Goarik Minasyan
Andrew Miridjanian
Vana Mirzakhani
Arthur Mishegyan
Jacob Miskaryan
David Mkrtchyan
Sevak Mkrtchyan
Samantha Joyce Moench
Victoria Mongiardo
Georgina Monirji
Katelynn Monterrey
Gwyneth Moore
Eve Moreno
Matthew Moreno
Natalie Morin
Isaac Mota
Alexia Muller
Adrian Munoz
Eric Murillo

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Natalie Najarian
Arthur Najaryan
Anna Nalbandyan
Garo Naljian
Anahit Nargizian
Nico Narinyants
Michael Natividad
Ariela Navasartian
Andre Nazarian
Patrick Nazarian
Taline Nazarian
Harout Nazaryan
George Newcomb
Jasmine Newman
Aaron Nhan
Alexander Nichols
Nareh Nikolaian
Josephine Nivar
Abisha Celine Noriega
Joshua Nunez

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Ilona Oganesian
Melanie Ohanian
Meri Ohanian
Mary Ohanyan
Shelby Oktavec
Eric Oquendo
Pamela Orellana
Bryan Orozco-Martinez
Emerson Orr
Austin Ortega
Macey Ortega
Natalia Ortiz
Scarleth Ortiz
Dale Osborn
Victoria Ovakyan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Nicholas Pagcanlungan
Paulina Paklarian
Evan Palazzo
Aren Papayan Damlakyan
Gwi Park
Victor Partida Sanchez
Taylor Paterra
Arman Payaslyan
Nataly Pelaez
Jonte Pendleton
Cameron Penny
Sofia Pereira Ribeiro
Angelica Perez
Eliza Perez
Savannah Perez
Marcela Perez-Martinez
Alexander Petersen
Moriah Peterson Byrd
Andrew Petrella
Laris Petrosian
Romella Petrosian
Talin Petrosian
Anthony Petrossian
Sophia Petrossian
David Petrosyan
Marianna Petrosyan
Wendy Pham
Shianna Phetsavanh
Alexis Pinto
Cristian Pliego
Siwat Poosong
Alina Portillo
Hannah Powell
Pamela Prinster
Lea Pyeatt

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Victoria Quezada
Andrea Quintero
Fabian Quintero
Blake Quinteros
Sofia Quiran

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Jonathan Ragheb
Ali Rahman
Rosalina Ramirez
Kyle Ramos
Anthony Rayas
Eliza Remillong
Maria Rendon
Julien Reneaud
Paul Angelo Reyna
Daniella Rezko
Nathan Rho
Rory Rickey
Anthony Rios
Jordan Rios
Kaylee Rivas
Melissa Rivas
Brandon Robinson
Christian Robles
Ruth Rodriguez Dominguez
Nicholas Roe
Christopher Rojas
Elena Rojo
Michael Romagnino
Nicholas Rosalino
Milena Rossi
Rianna Roughtean
Andrew Rovira
Chanaradee Ruangrujira
Cynthia Rumi
Reace Rushing
Christopher Ryan
Lauren Ryan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Mary Saado
Susanna Saghatelyan
Manik Sahakyan
Derian Salinas
Talia Salman
Madelyn Sanchez
Serena Sanchez
Ximena Sanchez Garcia
Saro Sandaljian
Jose Sarabia
Kayla Sardarov
Hrachya Sargsyan
Natalie Sargsyan
David Sarkisian
Nicole Sarkisyan
Adrianna Sarukhnyan
Angel Saucedo
Natalie Schmolka
Faith Schuck
Michael Segura
Valeria Segura
Jonathan Semerjian
Tamara Semizyan
Andrew Senane
Ecaterina Serenco
Nahabet Serobian
Hrach Shaboyan
Valodia Shakhbandaryan
Sevak Shamirian
Alexan Shamlyan
Matthew Shaugabay
Aidan Shea
Lily Shkhyan
Stephanie Sibaja Flores
Jonathan Silva
Daniel Simmons
Kyle Simon
Shahane Simonyan
Hakop Sinapyan
Emilie Siraki
Arthur Sirkejyan
Easton Smith
Mackenzie Smith
Jason Snow
Elinor Snyder
Talya Soghomonian
Alondra Solis
Pablo Solis Huerta
Luis Solorio
Julian Soovajian
Nathan Soria
Bryan Sosa Castro
Kaydon Spens
Michiko Srinutthakul
Sebastian Stoiloff
Victor Suchy
Aidana Sulaimanova

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Ani Takhmizyan
Greta Takhmizyan
Erin Tanner
Melad Tapponi
Michel Tarvirdi
Lianna Tashchian
Nairi Tashchyan
Narek Tashchyan
Sara Taylor
Elina Temuryan
Arianna Tenorio Rivera
Eric Tergalstian
Gregory Terkazarian
Araksi Termendzhyan
Daniel Terteryan
Colleen Thomassians
Alixon Tibocha Romero
Chloe Tilton
Amira Timani
Gabrielle Toczek
Mary Topchyan
Christopher Torosian
Hamlet Torosian
Emily Torossian
Eric Torossian
Suzana Torosyan
Louie Torres
Anthony Tovmasian
Natalie Tovmasian
Ashley Trad
Amy Tran
Tyler Truong
Tina Tunyan
Wynn Tutt

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

David Ulikyan
Benjamin Urlik
Evgeniy Uvarov

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Omar Valerio
Brian Valmonte
Jonathan Valmonte
Marine Vardanian
Meera Varma
Ejmin Vartani
Johnny Vasquez
Joshua Vasquez
Anabella Vazquez
Manny Vega
Bryan Velasquez
Ryan Verhoeven
Karla Villalobos
Eliza Villasenor
Leeah Voskerchian
Kevin Vrtani

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Manah Watkins
Darnell Williams
Katherine Williams
Macy Williams
Aaron Wilson
Brandon Wilson
Paul Won
Kevin Woods
Ryan Wright

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Isaac Yang
Melissa Yang
Haroutun Yaralyan
Rusanna Yazichyan
John Yee
Sergey Yengoyan
Artashes Yerkaryan

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Natalie Zadikian
Tenny Zakarian
Emily Zakevosyan
Giovanni Zamora
Elen Zohrabian
Edrik Zohrabimasihi

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Burbank and Burroughs High Schools Along with Adult School Held Graduation Ceremonies this Week

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The photographers of myburbank.com were on hand for the colorful ceremonies and here is a gallery of pictures from the last couple of nights.

A complete list of graduates will be online the next couple of days along with additional pictures.

Click on any picture in the gallery to view it larger Congratulations graduates.

Brett Carroll’s “School of Show” Was A Showstopping Smash

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(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Director Brett Carroll’s “school of show” was definitely in session last weekend at Burbank High.  The “Stand Up and Make a Change” Pop Show 2018 was awesome.  Many of the acts—especially the In Sync finale–would’ve passed muster in Vegas as a family-friendly lead up to a celebrity headliner at one of the major casinos.

Yes, the students are that good.  The least experienced singers, the mainly freshmen, and sophomores of Out of the Blue perform at the level of talented juniors and seniors at other schools, and they have the trophies to prove it.  The other groups—In Sync, Sirens, Gentlemen’s Octet, Impressions and Sound Dogs—perform at the college level: really good college level, making Burbank High’s show choir one of the best in the nation.  (For example, among other awards Sound Dogs won first place in the Advanced Men’s Division, besting the second place group by 50 points.)  Everyone proved equal to the show’s demanding choreography, much of it created by the students themselves.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

And as for the amazing soloists…let’s just say they would’ve given the prima donnas of Glee a run for their money.

The production values are no less impressive.  High school students are running studio-quality sound and lighting and Burbank High graduates are now doing the same at places like CalArts and major studios.  The costuming, makeup and staging was professional grade, reflecting the dedication of Vocal Music Association parents and alumni.

From the opening number to the finale, both the harmonies and enunciation were very precise, never slipping into muddiness. There were some impressive vocal ranges on display as well.  That level of performance comes from countless hours of practice and encouragement.  It also comes from a high level of camaraderie among the performers, one where star turns and ensemble efforts complement rather than compete with each other.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Brett Carroll, his staff, his students and the VMA community have been “standing up and making a change” for some time now.  They’ve been doing it by enabling the students to hone their gifts to a level of mastery normally associated with entertainers who are significantly older.  And in the process creating a community with a shared love of excellence, and a deep respect for each other.

Here’s hoping that today’s exceptional display of talent and teamwork is tomorrow’s new normal.  This world has too many challenges for society to be underestimating its teenagers. Burbank High’s Pop Show 2018 is a reminder of what happens when a community takes young talent seriously.

Burbank Town Center Remodel Nearly Complete

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This year, the $60 million renovations of the Burbank Town Center which started in January 2017 will finally be complete, with new stores, a brighter atmosphere, and a revamped food court among other refurbishments.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Visitors to the eighth largest mall in Los Angeles County have already noticed several new additions, including the renovated food court which has relocated from the third floor to the first floor. The modernized atmosphere has an improved seating area with USB compatible outlets and decorative lights.

“The new food court has a lot more seating available. It’s very spacious and it’s a lot more open. I think that’s one of the best changes they’ve made, moving the food court downstairs,“ said Atticus Bacchus, an employee of All Amusement Fun Center.

Although some restaurants have left the revitalized food court, several restaurants that were on the third level remain, such as Panda Express, Sbarro, and Mongolian Grill, which is coming soon.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“Our goal is to introduce fresh new tenants to Burbank Town Center with an eye to making the dining terrace a go-to-place when visiting Burbank,” said Lance W. Taylor, director at CAPREF Burbank LLC, who has been overseeing the renovation of the mall.

Soon, there will be an outdoor dining terrace with a view toward Verdugo and west toward the Hollywood Hills. A new outdoor escalator will carry shoppers and diners to the space which faces the shops on San Fernando Blvd.

Two new entrances into the Burbank Town Center have been added to the east and west parking garages, allowing better circulation throughout the mall.

A grand staircase leading to an entrance into the mall has been made accessible on E. Magnolia Blvd.

New skylights throughout the mall, along with LED lighting and new flooring, provide a more energetic and positive shopping atmosphere than before.

Following AMC 8’s recent theatre remodel with reclining seats, stores such as New York & Co. and Vans have also been redesigned.

Burbank Town Center is currently home to 150 retail stores and soon, Cost Plus World Market will add to that number. The 17,000 sq ft store will be located on the first floor of the mall and is said to open in June or July.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Additional changes include the relocation of See’s Candy from across the hall to provide more room for H&M, which will be located on the second and third levels. The fast fashion retailer is expected to open around summer or during the fall.

In 2017, H&M was the highest ranked fashion outlet according to Forbes America’s Best Employers and made the list of “Best Companies to Work for in Fashion” for Business of Fashion. New stores such as H&M and Cost Plus will likely benefit the local economy in providing job opportunities and better shopping experiences.

“With the $60 million mall renovation nearing completion and the addition of these new tenants, we are seeing increased activity from national and local retailers interested in calling Burbank Town Center home and we anticipate additional retailer announcements this year,” said Taylor.

Such new additions are enticing locals who are used to doing their shopping online or in other cities.

“The updates to the mall are exciting as it will bring about a much-needed change and update to the area. Many people drive to Glendale for stores like H&M and Cost Plus, so it will be great that their tax dollars will be staying here in Burbank,” said Wes Taylor, a resident of Downtown Burbank.

Although many new shops are coming to the mall, several stores that have become favorites in the community remain. LA County’s last mall arcade, the “All Amusement Fun Center” which has been in business for 24 years, has been relocated from the first floor to the third floor after it was nearly closed in 2017. In response to community outcry, owners Jim and Susan Rowton collaborated with Lance Taylor to find a suitable new location and were able to keep the arcade open while adding several new games.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

On March 3, the All Amusement Fun Center hosted a community event, allowing visitors to play games, get their faces painted, and have balloon animals made— all free of charge.

New resting stations with USB compatible outlets give shoppers downtime to sit and relax between stores. For young families, there are two new play areas which provide a chance for parents to monitor their kids as they take a break from shopping.

Recently added Tesla Superchargers are located on the top of the Burbank Town Center parking garage at 495 North Third St. The station, which allows drivers to charge their cars much quicker than at home, is among the largest in the country, with 20 public-access stalls at the rate of $0.20 per kilowatt hour.

On the third level near Sears, interactive murals were recently installed by students from Burbank High, Providencia Elementary, Brett Hart Elementary, and Jordan Middle School. The murals feature illustrations encouraging shoppers to pose and take part in the images to share on social media.

Burbank Town Center is located at 201 East Magnolia Blvd.

Local Schools Install Murals at Burbank Town Center

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(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

On Saturday, March 3, students from Providencia Elementary, Brett Hart Elementary, Jordan Middle School, and Burbank High School installed interactive murals on the third level of the Burbank Town Center.

Art classes from schools in the district have worked together to add color to the mall as it undergoes refurbishments. The 6 ft. x 8 ft. murals vary in themes, showcasing the artistic styles of the students. One mural depicts a political message about equality, while another depicts a flying saucer hovering over a cornfield.

“They were really self-led and they were in charge of what they wanted to illustrate,“ said Burbank High School art structure and art history teacher, Rebecca Platner, who oversaw the district-wide project. “It’s special for them to have their art in a public place.”

Shoppers are encouraged to take part in the interactive murals and post to social media, tagging #BUSDpaintsBTC.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Students and teachers alike invested a lot of their time in creating the murals, totaling about a month between the design and painting process.

“My students submitted design concepts and then we voted on them and we refined them until we got to the one we wanted to work on for the wall,” said Burbank High School visual and performing arts teacher, Jonelle Pickett.

Pickett’s advanced animation class collaborated on a 3D mural depicting a picnic with soda, fries, and a hamburger. CJ Jobelle, a junior, is one of the students who worked on the assignment.

“The overall painting took about three weeks, roughly around that. People were taking turns to paint it,” said Jobelle.

Visitors can attribute the murals to the individual classes who created them, as the school names and grade levels are provided next to each illustration.

 

“It’s really exciting that under Rebecca’s leadership we were able to get several schools and artists representing their talents to get visual arts into the community,” said Peggy Flynn, arts and career technical education coordinator for BUSD.

“It helps people see the power that art can have in an open space like this.”

Eventually, the wall will come down once space is rented out. Until then, visitors of the Burbank Town Center can admire the creative work of the next generation.

Burbank National Merit Scholarship Finalists Announced

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Five Burbank Unified School District seniors have advanced as Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, school officials recently announced.

Four Burbank High School seniors have advanced to become National Merit Scholarship Finalists (pictured from left to right): John S. Yee, Melissa Yang, Adam James Czeranko, and Aaron Nhan. (Photo Courtesy Burbank High School)

Four Burbank High School students – John S. Yee, Melissa Yang, Adam James Czeranko and Aaron Nhan – and one student from John Burroughs High School – Prajwal Tumkur Mahesh – are now eligible to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered in 2018.

As juniors, approximately 1.6 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Of those, many receive Letters of Commendation or are recognized as Semi-Finalists. About 15,000 are announced as Finalists each year, and half are awarded scholarships of $2500 that can be renewed each year they attend college, for up to four years.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Program website, “All winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) are chosen from the Finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.”

John Burroughs High School senior Prajwal Tumkur Mahesh is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. (Photo Courtesy John Burroughs High School)

“A variety of information is available for NMSC selectors to evaluate: the Finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official’s written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the Finalist’s own essay.”

Burbank High School officials also added that Yee is one of only 511 students worldwide who earned every point possible on an AP Exam last spring.

He answered every multiple-choice question correctly and earned full points on each of the essays in the free-response section of his AP Computer Science A Exam, and has been recognized for Superior Performance on an AP Exam by The College Board.

 

 

Threat to Burbank High School Deemed “Nonviable”

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A threat that has been passed around on social media that was reported to officials on Thursday, Feb. 22 has been deemed to be nonviable by Burbank Police.

This picture was taken from someone’s phone screen of the threat being sent around. We have blacked out the offensive words as well as other nonrelated areas

According to Burbank Police Sergeant Derek Green, “Burbank High School is NOT on any lockdown.  There appears to be a generic, anonymous screenshot which has been passed along to multiple people in different cities referencing a shooting threat to “B.H.S.” 

There is no source information at this time and it is still being investigated. Extra patrol has been assigned to Burbank schools as a precaution.

Again, there is nothing to suggest this social media threat (which was second hand at the very least) has anything to do with Burbank Schools.” Green emphasized.

A call placed to the Superintendent’s Office of the Burbank Unified School District also said it was a nonviable threat and Burbank police are at both high schools on extra patrol.

The threat was also broadcast to all California Highway Patrol units to be advised of the situation but no further action was being taken.

While the person who sent the threat said “BHS”, they did not specify Burbank High School. There are several other high schools in the area with the same initials of BHS.

Burbank High Political Science Club Hosts U.S. Senate Candidate

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By Aleko Brice
Special to myBurbank

 U.S. Senate Candidate Pat Harris, a progressive democrat running in the 2018 midterm elections, spoke to a crowd of four hundred people this past Thursday in Burbank High’s Wolfson Auditorium.

Pat Harris, U.S. Senate Candidate (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The event was organized by Burbank High School’s Political Science Club, which hoped to use the event to encourage the next generation of voters to be politically engaged. “It’s darkest right before the dawn. And you guys are the dawn,” Senate Candidate Harris told the audience of high school students attending the event.

The event was over an hour and a half long, featuring an introduction and closing speech by President Aleko Brice and Vice President Saro Sandaljian, along with a twenty minute speech by Senate Candidate Harris, followed by a town hall style Q&A where the audience was able to ask any questions they had for the candidate for an hour.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Questions varied from topics such as climate change, to gun control, to student loans, all questions the students themselves felt needed to be asked. “We were glad to feel like we had a voice and could be heard,” said high school junior Vivian Vasquez.

 “The event was a culmination of two months hard work,” said club member Sara Taylor about the town hall. Brice and Sandaljian contacted countless local youth organizations to attend and promote the event, along with teachers and professors from both city high schools and the local colleges, such as Woodbury University and Glendale Community College.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Among the attendees were Burbank City Council members Jess Talamantes and Sharon Springer, along with many concerned Burbank voters. For the active Burbank students who hoped to be able to vote in the upcoming election, Brice aided many students in the process of pre-registering/registering to vote, giving out forms and explaining the importance of being involved in politics.

During this, Sandaljian helped direct students to ask any other questions they had. Executive board members Sam Vaseghyzand, Garo Naljian, Miles Gilmore, Shant Sandaljian, along with the rest of the club members, helped organize concessions and booths, along with production.

All in all, it was a collaborative, student-driven effort to encourage the next generation to get involved and vote. “They make me look good. They did this all themselves,” club advisor Cody Parker stated.