GLENDALE—The Chamlian Armenian School drama club is currently working on a stage adaptation of the 1988 film “Stand and Deliver”. The inspirational film tells the true story of the East Los Angeles instructor, Jaime Escalante, who taught calculus to students that others had given up on.
Chamlian administration felt this story would be a compelling stage play because of its focus on the importance of learning, its heartwarming message of success in the face of adversity, and its local southern California roots.
Drama instructor, Nareg Tutak, has been working at Chamlian for the past year. She has fifteen years of experience in the theater both in professional and educational capacities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theater, philosophy and social justice from University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University. Under her leadership, 10 students have been selected to perform in the production and are currently rehearsing vigorously.
Performances are set to take place in May. A production will be put on for the school audience and another one for the parents and other family members.
I attended the memorial service yesterday morning at Garfield High School. Photos from the event can be found at http://www.bit.ly/pab-facebook.
It was a very nice but brief event that attracted major media attention. Perhaps the loss of this tremendous teaching legend will inspire the next generation of Jaime Escalantes to arrive in East Los Angeles.
Jesse Torres
President and CEO
Pan American Bank
East Los Angeles, CA 90063
“California's Oldest Latino-Owned Bank”