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Compton
Education Foundation Hosts Meet-n-Greet
Renowned actor
Louis Gossett Jr. makes surprise appearance between student performances
By
Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin
Staff Writer
A
nonprofit corporation formed in 2003 to assist the school district
in reintroducing visual and performing arts into the curriculum hosted
a mixer last Tuesday to introduce the community to its goals.
The event highlighting the Compton Education Foundation (CEF) featured
performances by the Centennial High marching band, cheerleaders and dance
squad; the Davis Middle School band; and the Compton Children’s Choir
in addition to a stunning rendition of the national anthem by 12-year-old
Walton Middle School student Donald Hammonds Jr.
According to foundation Chair Lanette White, the district’s Visual
and Performing Arts director, the event, hosted outside Compton Unified
headquarters on Santa Fe Avenue, served to “let everyone know who
we are.”
“Our goal is to really put some emphasis on the performing arts,” she
told The Bulletin. “Now that I’m here, we’re trying to
take it to the next level.”
White was hired in 2006. Prior to that, no one held the position.
Budgetary woes in the last five or more years have led to the slashing
of funding for arts-related education in most school districts across the
state.
CEF’s official mission is threefold: to act as an independent revenue
source in order to provide programs and services that are not affordable
through public funds; to enhance students’ learning opportunities;
and to better prepare students to become contributing members of society.
The brainchild of former Superintendent Jesse L. Gonzales Ph.D.,
the foundation was officially recognized by the state beginning in 2004.
The very next year, well-known rapper The Game, a Compton High graduate,
and fellow label mate 50 Cent each donated $100,000.
“That’s what really jump started it off,” said Executive
Director Tami Foy, the district’s grants administrator.
Now, the heat is on to secure additional funding.
The foundation’s accomplishments include being the founding sponsor
of the Compton Children’s Choir and annual sponsor of the district’s
Community Arts Day as well as granting more than $13,000 to the Centennial
High School music department, which helped fund the Apache marching band,
cheerleaders and dance squad.
As a special treat, award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. made a
surprise visit and delivered a message of hope and inspiration to the young
people in attendance.
He told The Bulletin he just happened to be in town that day meeting
with Jesse Jones, principal at Compton High, regarding launching a pilot
program of his new nonprofit, the Eracism Foundation, here in Compton.
For more information on that organization, visit www.eracismfoundation.org.
Additional information on CEF is available by calling (310) 604-6560
or visiting www.comptoned.org.
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