Life School's Fine Arts programs capped an outstanding school year with a series of landmark achievements at UIL competition and beyond, demonstrating the district's growing strength in the arts. From first-time UIL appearances to historic scoring milestones, Life School student artists, musicians, and performers proved that excellence in the arts is a district-wide standard.
At Life High School Waxahachie, Fine Arts programs made headlines across all three disciplines. The LHSW Theatre program, under the direction of Lauren Witte and Ashlynn Frey, advanced from District to Bi-District before proudly representing the school at the Area round of UIL One Act Play competition. The LHSW Choir, directed by Nyadia Thorpe, earned all 1's in Concert at the Non-Varsity level, positioning the program to compete at the Varsity level next year. The LHSW Band, under the direction of Jerry Goble, competed in both Non-Varsity and Varsity UIL — earning all 1's in Varsity Sightreading for the first time in school history.
Life Middle School Waxahachie's Band program, directed by Jacob Douglas, continued its upward trajectory by competing at the Middle School Varsity level for the second consecutive year, building on the program's historic first UIL appearance last year.
At Oak Cliff campuses, the story of growth was equally compelling. The OCS Choir, under the direction of Melanie Silva, made school history this year by competing in UIL for the very first time, fielding a Sub Non-Varsity mixed middle school choir and a Non-Varsity treble choir in the same season. The OCS Band, directed by Rachel Mallon, competed again at the Non-Varsity level, improving their scores after last year's historic return to UIL competition — the program's first since 2012. OCS Theatre, under the direction of Angela Spivery, delivered one of the year's most memorable performances, earning District Runner-Up honors at UIL One Act Play.
Life School's excellence in the arts extended to the visual arts as well. Art teachers Gordon Scott and Christine Kelley of Life Middle School Waxahachie, and Dayna Frey of Life High School Waxahachie, proudly represented the district at the Ellis County Youth Art Exhibit. Two LMSW 7th grade students earned recognition: Viktor Cornejo claimed 3rd Place, while Kaliq Berry received Honorable Mention. At LHSW, Dayna Frey's student Peyton Saunders also earned Honorable Mention in the 11th grade division.
"The performances and achievements we've seen from our Fine Arts students and directors this year speak to what Life School is all about," said Coordinator Kim Rogers. "From history-making UIL debuts to milestone performances that have never been achieved before, our students are showing up, growing, and excelling. We are incredibly proud of every student, director, and campus."
Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in Cedar Hill, Dallas (Oak Cliff, Mountain Creek), Lancaster, Red Oak and Waxahachie, TX. Life School develops leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. Its mission is accomplished in part through the financial support of donors who provide scholarships to help make students ready to learn, ready to lead and ready for life.
Parents who are interested in enrollment can visit lifeschool.net/learn-about-life. Partners who would like to support Life School financially can give online at lifeschool.net/give.
