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Cast of “Hairspray”
Friday, December 14, 2018 Vol. 12 No. 100
“Hairspray”
Final Weekend approaches at Palm Canyon Theatre. Four performances remain after two sold out weekends By Desert Star Staff Palm Springs, Calif., – Hairspray, starring Jasmine Shaffer and Ron Coronado, is a smash hit at Palm Canyon Theatre! The entire company is getting rave reviews for the 1960s throwback, which only has four performances
remaining, December 13-16. The story centers around Tracy Turnblad (Jasmine Shaffer), an average teenager who sees herself as much more and dreams of being a star. Tracy jumps at an opportunity to audition for a popular television dance show,
and when she is selected, her mother, Edna Turnblad (Ron Coronado) is by her side, which leads to her own awakening. Not only do Tracy’s dancing skills attract the show’s host Corny Collins (Ben Reece), but also the attention of teen heartthrob
Link Larkin (Jonathan Hatsios). Although supported by her best friend, Penny Pingleton (Lizzie Schmelling), and other classmates, not everyone is happy with Tracy’s new role. The show’s manager, Velma von Tussle (Denise Carey), and her daughter Amber (Allegra
Angelo) will do anything to oust Tracy and her friends as they try to integrate the show to include African American cast members. Tracy puts up a good fight with her friends Seaweed Continues on Page 2
Amelia Earhart Elementary is creating a Makerspace
H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation grants $25,000 to reinvent the school’s library By Desert Star Staff Palm Desert, Calif., – As an International Baccalaureate school, Amelia Earhart Elementary administrators hold their students to high standards of inquiry-based learning. With a recent grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, teachers and students will now have more resources for hands-on learning as they use the funds to reinvent the school’s library by transforming it into a Makerspace. “A Makerspace is a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses a variety of
tools and resources,” said Ann Morales, Principal of Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies. “We’re so excited that we are able to evolve our library into a 21st century student-centered learning environment.” The $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant will purchase engineering kits, large-format touch screens, flexible furniture, and storage compartments for the Makerspace supplies. In addition, the Desert Sands Unified School District is Continues on Page 3