Project LPIE: A Competition Showcasing the Work of Students

By Olivia Silverstein and Jayden DiPrisco, Online Head of Layout and Azure Editor-In-Chief, and Print Arts Section Editor

   For the past 13 years, Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) has hosted its annual Project LPIE competition for Acalanes students. The winners and runners-up for each category are selected by panels of judges who are professionals in their respective fields. 

   The goal of the competition is to highlight student artists who have been impacted by the LPIE funds dedicated to electives. 

   “Students can showcase their talents through projects that they've done for class or outside of class, but in showcasing the students, we are also indirectly showcasing LPIE and how LPIE has benefited students' lives through the public school system,” Acalanes LPIE board representative Jocelyn Werner said.

   Participants can submit to 15 different categories, ranging from two-dimensional visual art to vocal music group productions. This competition, which features a wide variety of categories, showcases many students' talents. 

   “[Project LPIE] allows people to have their voices and their art shown on a bigger scale than just through a school,” second-place video production winner and sophomore Noelle Dobies said. “It represents all kinds of art, not just singing or dancing or acting, but also creative writing, and entrepreneurship… [and] all kinds of different talents and abilities.”
  Some previous contestants have shared their experiences with friends, encouraging others to participate.
  “All of my friends were doing it, and I heard a lot about how, whether you win or not, the experience of getting to submit and being at the banquet with all of your friends is really worth it,” participant and senior Alvera Bamorya said.

   In addition, some believe that the break from an academic environment that Project LPIE provides can help participants display their creative side to others. 

   “I think [Project LPIE] is really important because so much of our community is focused on academics right now, and a lot of the things that happen in the arts or writing don't really come out at school,” Bamorya said. “So, I think that it's really important because you can show sides of yourself that people don't really know or see.”

   The banquet took place on April 10 at the Lafayette Library. Attendees were able to browse the artwork. The winners were also announced and given a cash prize and certificate. Winners for the non-physical artwork categories, including instrumental music, vocal music, theater, and video, were able to play their submissions live. 

   Participants who attended the event were given feedback forms from the judges who scored their category. The feedback offered students the opportunity to reflect on their work to improve in their future endeavors. 

   “The feedback was definitely very constructive. Not entirely positive or fully negative, to the extent where you can’t get anything out of it,” first place theater winner and sophomore Aryash Deepak said. “There are specific choices that I can make based on what they’ve said, which can improve my skills.”

   LPIE created another version of Project LPIE two years ago that allows Stanley Middle School students to submit their work. With a younger demographic, the program seeks to gain more participants and uplift younger artists. 

   “We are hoping that those who participate in the Stanley Project LPIE will continue to participate when they get to Acalanes,” Werner said.

   Budget cuts throughout Lafayette threaten the arts and electives currently offered to students. LPIE board members hope that raising awareness about school budget cuts will translate to additional LPIE donations to continue supporting these programs. 

   “Every time we’re reminded how important [the arts] ... are to students, and how enriching they are, it allows families to think about valuing them, and about what would be at stake if these programs ... were lost from Acalanes,” Werner said. 

   The competition remains an outlet for Acalanes students' creativity. Participants receive recognition for their hard work and feedback from professionals. Overall, the event uplifts artistry in the Lafayette community.

   “It’s really important to showcase all of the amazing talent and the variety of amazing work that students put together,” Acalanes parent and Project LPIE showcase attendee Jennie Dobies said. “I hope they continue this tradition every year.”