New Performing Arts Center At Hesperia High School
Hesperia, California (High Desert News Online) – After a long wait of nearly 40 years, Hesperia High School is taking a significant step forward for the arts and education in the community. December 18th, 2023, Hesperia Unified School District celebrated the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center that will replace the old tennis courts that are in front of the school. The ceremony of over a hundred onlookers included local dignitaries, school board members, students, and community enthusiasts that marked the beginning of a project aimed at fostering the arts and providing a modern space for student performances and community events.
The nearly 33,000 square foo9d facility will feature a 500-seat theater, advanced sound and lighting systems, and spaces for music and drama classes. This facility is designed to be a hub for cultural activities and a beacon of creativity for students across the district.
Superintendent Dave Onley covered that the center will also incorporate student health services and community events. “More than anything, this is for you, the students and future students of this, our first, Hesperia High school,” Dave Olney said.
Hesperia High School’s principal, Michael Evert, also expressed his excitement. “Our students have long demonstrated incredible potential in the performing arts. This new center will give them a platform to showcase their talents and gain invaluable experience in a professional setting,” he said.
The project, funded with the help of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, according to HUSD Staff.
Student representatives expressed their anticipation for the new opportunities the center will bring.
Hesperia Unified School District, partnering with Providence St. Mary, IEHP, Department of Behavioral Health, and the Mountain-Desert Children’s Center from the beginning of this project, HUSD will be able to bring wrap-around services to students and the community. While HUSD is well-aware of the facility challenges across the district, this is a step in a larger effort to partner with community agencies and bring services closer to students and families. Staff said.
“I am proud of the work of staff, particularly that of Dr. George Landon, Deputy Superintendent Business Services, and Dr. Michelle Smith, Assistant Superintendent Educational Services, to understand the intent of these funds and maximize their impact for the benefit of our students and community” Dave Olney said.
The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with a symbolic turning of the soil, as school board members Maria Gomez and Eric Swanson along with community leaders took up shovels to mark the start of construction. The Hesperia Unified School District’s new Performing Arts Center has an estimated completion date within the next 18 to 24 months.
