March 2015

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Precedent PERRY HIGH SCHOOL || GILBERT, AZ

BOYS OF SUMMER Check out season previews for Spring Sports on page 12

MARCH 2015|| VOL. VIII ISSUE VI

TEACHER FEATURE

Bernier applies life experiences to classroom setting

photo by Isaiah Patterson

TV Productions teacher Brian Bernier helps junior Bella Tassinari during class. Before his teaching career, he recieved a degree in broadcast journalism, and worked in radio and sports broadcasting.

By Mackenzie Ness the precedent

Often a life in the media industry appears like a utopia: paparazzi, a large income, celebrities, and fine dining. However this is not reality, at least not at the beginning. Media teacher Brian Bernier has traveled this rocky trek firsthand – from pulling cable for local radio stations to traveling the nation covering the NFL – Bernier built his career from the bottom-up, gaining both experience and wisdom. Now in his 14th year in the classroom, and currently the director of Perry Podcast and Puma Nation Live, he tells students when pursuing a career in media to be aware of the not-so-glamorous life that often precedes a desired job. “You have to take your lumps,” he says. “You are going to be treated like dirt, going to get people coffee, but you have to work your way through all of that.” Originally from Southern

California where he excelled in athletics in high school, Bernier attended Arizona State Univ. as well as other colleges and received a degree in broadcast journalism. His career in Phoenix began in radio at KZZP (104.7), where he soon earned a promotion as an associate show producer and felt the intensity of a life in media. “Once you learn the basics, you are expected to know how to finish from Point A to Point B, there are not a lot of people patting you on the back as you go.”

His career path led him astray from music and back towards his passion: football. Bernier spents time working for the Arizona Cardinals and the Univ. of Southern California as an assistant director of video operations, filming practices and games while traveling with the team. Throughout this adventure, he discovered what the media industry actually looked like versus the extravagant lifestyle that many assume.

Band, choir, and orchestra students participate in Southwest Regionals By Rebecca Hoffmann and Sarah Chapple the precedent

As the applause of introduction dies down, 100 choir students from a pool of 34 schools line the walkways in the McClintock High School auditorium on Saturday Feb 21, waiting for their cue to begin the processional and take their places on stage. These choir students began the 201415 Southwest Region’s concert, followed by Orchestra and finally Band. Student participants auditioned for, prepared for, and attended the festival in order to perform on stage that day. Regionals is an event hosted every year by the Arizona Music Educator’s Association. There are eight regions in Arizona, and 43 schools, and Perry had high representation this year, with 12 students in the regional band, 15 in the orchestra, and 7 in the choir. For the Southwest Regional concert, there are 100 students in choir, 123 in orchestra, and 117 in band based on factors such as a need for balance of sounds. The audition process is highly selective, making participation in this event a highly respected accomplishment. Senior Madison Williams, 9th chair soprano, takes pride in being a part of the event. “Whenever people come to see the performance at a regional level, I feel like they are always really impressed and moved,” William says. “It’s an experience I don’t want to miss out on because I know how much it means for me

“Working in media is crazy.” Bernier describes, “You have to pay your dues. [You have to] start out making six bucks an hour if you want to move to the top of the pyramid.” The way that Bernier approaches his job as a teacher is largely influenced by his past experiences. “I am very critical,” he said, “I notice all little mistakes because that is how my work environment was.” Because of his drive to excel, he is largely admired by his colleagues.

PROM 2015

Prom to be held at Phoenix Convention Center; theme “Starlit Garden” By August Bowers the precedent

photo published with permission from Serena Chang

PHS orchestra students pose for a picture at McClintock High prior to the performance. Perry was represented by 15 members in the orchestra, seven in the choir, and 12 in the band.

as a musician.” The audition process varies based on instrument, but each consists of sight reading and demonstration of prepared music. Once the student “makes” regionals, they are given the music and must have it prepared to near perfection before showing up the Friday morning before the regional performance. “[Auditions are] a neat experience in itself because you get to talk to people from different schools and they give you feedback on everything,” Williams explains. “I’ve tried out for it three years so it gets easier as you go, but it’s fun; you learn to enjoy it.” Senior Jacob Ginn was first cello for the orchestra, auditioning into his chair during the Friday of Regionals. In addition, he had a solo in the concert. He comments, “it was fun, [but] a lot of responsibility because [I was] in

charge of [my entire] section.” Choir instructor Joe Little believes this experience instills a sense of leadership in the participating students,as well as several other qualities that enhance their musicianship. “[Auditioning for regionals] pushes [the students] a little bit and helps them realize that they can do a lot more than they thought,” Little states. “It affects [the students] in different ways, depending on what they’re looking for in the music. It broadens their perspective and helps them be more expressive with the music.” Another benefit of participating in Regionals is the opportunity to audition for All State, which will be held April 16-18 at the University of Arizona. This experience involves musicians who participated in regionals and were chosen through an audition process to participate.

Sculpture teacher Sharon Biemond has worked with Bernier since PHS opened. “He has worked in the industry, the kids respect him for that,” she explained. Bernier stresses that his class is a mirror of the broadcast industry. The expectations in the real world are more demanding than school, and the PHS television production programs prepare students for life after school. “Mistakes don’t go over [well],” he said of real jobs. “You are chewed out at the top of your lungs. School is all like, ‘Hey, we will give you another chance.’ In that industry there are no chances.” Senior Adam Farnsworth has been a student in Bernier’s classes for three years, and has earned a prominent role in “Perry Podcast.” “He really makes us challenge ourselves, pointing out the finer details within our projects,” Farnsworth said. “He doesn’t leave any stone unturned.” “I always wanted to teach, it is awesome seeing kids go to film school,” Bernier said. “You feel like you had a hand in that, helping them along the way. I never thought it would be satisfying just getting a paycheck and working 80 hours a week.” Bernier continues to guide his students in gaining experience, helping them to achieve success and confidence.

The most anticipated event of the school year: prom. A multitude of young men and women prepare for this day; renting tuxes and purchasing extravagant gowns. With prom being a little over a month away, students are curious to see how it will live up to last year’s expectations. Junior class president and head committee chair for prom, Sierra Meyer explains that the committee is under a lot of pressure to be sure that they put on the best prom that Perry has to offer. Perry has been known for their successful themes in the past such as “My Heart Will Go On” in 2013 and “Field of Dreams” last year. The theme for Prom 2015 is “Starlit Garden” and will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center. With a multitude of options for themes and locations, StuGo chose a more luxurious approach. “We want themes that are classic. When you think of prom, you think of elegance; enjoyable times for everybody. We wanted something that was classic and elegant,” states Keeling. StuGo must choose the location over a year before the actual date of prom; in essence, they have already chosen the location for prom in the year 2016; with the theme still up in the air. Prom is organized by the juniors that are in StuGo; offered as a gift to the senior class. Meyer shares her emotions behind this gift giving, “It is really personal; we’re really

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“We definitely want to give them something that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and really enjoy.”

Sierra Meyer Committee Chair

close to them and we definitely want to give them something that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and really enjoy.” StuGo advisor, Brandon Keeling, has high expectations for his group of students this year. “With every event StuGo does, regardless of what it is, I always want to do it bigger and better than the last time that we did it. Prom this year is no exception to that.” Student body vice president, Tarin Sanford, expects there to be a huge turnout for this year’s dance. Sanford, along with other members of the committee chair, are expecting over 750 students to attend. Sanford also expressed her opinion on this year’s theme by saying, “We are going more with the elegant side of it; it’s going to be more classy.” Prom is an enjoyable time for juniors and seniors; a time to dance with friends or significant others; a time to reminisce on the memories of high school. Keeling asserts, “We want it to be a night that the juniors and seniors can look back and remember for the rest of their lives.” It is a goal to make sure that the students are entertained by giving something that will never be forgotten.

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