Does your child like to take photos, write, and design photos? If so, then your child should take the Digital Media elective at Explorer Middle School. In Digital Media, we take photos of the students here at Explorer. We make magazines to show students what is happening in school and outside of school. We help students become better photojournalist and designers to create magazines. We hope you consider taking Digital Media as an elective class at Explorer Middle School.
Desert Ridge Hidden Talents
Lily Castle is a 7th grader at Explorer Middle School. Lily has a passion for doing plays as well as singing. I asked Lily a series of questions about her career as an actress. My first question was “ What age were you when you first started acting?” she answered “ I was 9 when I first started acting.” My next question was “what was your first play?” she took a few seconds to answer “ I am pretty sure it was Jungle Book Kids.” I asked “ What had been your favorite play to act in?” she answered “ My favorite play to act in was Annie.” I next asked, “What places have you acted before?” she said, “ I have acted at Musical Theatre of Anthem, Valley Youth Theatre, and Desert Foothills Theater. I continued asking “What has been your favorite play to act in?” she answered “My favorite play was Annie.” I ended up by asking Lily “ Do you sing at all and
if so where do you sing?” Lily answered “Yes I do sing and I sing in plays, choirs, homeless shelters, funerals and hospitals. I have watched many of Lily Castles play’s and I am excited to see many more. Lily is very talented and is a wonderful actress.
Adam is a 13 year old boy that enjoys playing the piano. He has been playing ever since he was 6 years old. In any spare time that he has, he likes to play the piano as well as singing. He has had some vocal lessons from his big brother Ben and Ben also helped with learning the piano. Besides being taught by Ben, he also plays songs with him. So that has created a tight bond between the two. And besides the piano
and vocals, he likes to sometimes play the bongos! “ I don’t really play I just like to mess around with them.” he told us as we interviewed him. It’s not his favorite thing to do but it is another option. Besides singing and playing the piano solo (which he really enjoys more than playing with a band) he put together a few bands but didn’t exactly end up working out. But when he did have a band he enjoyed it. He has learned a lot of songs from his big brother Ben. Some of the songs he has learned and enjoys playing are: Locked out of Heaven, What a Wonderful World, Forever Young, Fall for You, etc. Adam is a sweet boy that came from a Sweet’s family. He loves to sing and play the piano. And that is a little about Adam.
Kamryn Castro is a 12 year-old girl who attends Explorer Middle School and her hidden talent is playing the guitar, piano, and singing. Kamryn even played the trumpet when she was in 5th grade and was taught by her brother. She has performed at 4 of her schools talent shows and also performed at Explorer Fest! In Kamryn’s free-time she enjoys playing video games, doing lots of sports, hanging out with friends, and cooking. Her sister gives her vocal lessons. However, she went to Voices Studio to learn how to play the guitar. Kamryn’s dream is to perform at Madison Square Garden, play on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and go on many world tours. We all hope that Kamryn will be able to accomplish her dream in being a famous musician!
Grant Chapman is a 13 year old boy that attends Explorer Middle School and his hidden talent is gymnastics. He has been doing this for many years now. Seven years to be exact. He has been going to North Valley ever since he started his gymnastics career. At North Valley, he is taught by his strong, trustworthy coach Travis Rainer. If it were not for him, Grant wouldn’t be in the level of gymnastics he is currently in. He not only is in level seven but he is training for level 8 already! Wow! Grant is definitely very advanced in his hidden talent and we all hope that he goes places in life with his dream.
Madison Holmes is a 12 year old girl that attends Explorer Middle School and her hidden talent is playing the guitar, piano, and singing. She has been playing the piano since she was 7 years-old and the guitar as well as singing since she was 10. Madison has played all around the valley at venues such as Grayhawk Golf Club every Wednesday, Isabella’s Kitchen, The Hideaway Grill, and even for over 4,000 people at Harold’s Corral on their 3rd of July Event. Her mentor is Ryan Sims, also a musician and he takes her with him to many of his gigs. Madison says she would be nowhere close to where she is now if it weren’t for all he has done for her. She is honored to be able to communicate and learn from experienced musicians that she is surrounded by each and every day. She then continued to add that she had taught herself most of her abilities on the guitar in the beginning, However, later on she found an amazing guitar teacher, Billy Cioffi. Billy has taught her so much on the guitar and has written many amazing songs with her as well. Some of her favorite songs that she has written are, It’s Obvious, Always a Reason, and Where are you now. Madison is also taught on the piano by Dr. Lory Peters. She has learned the main skills of the piano and how to write songs on the piano as well. Some of her inspirations are: Ryan Sims, Ethan Newman, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift. Madison’s dream is to perform at Madison Square Garden and start a world tour. We all wish Madison luck with her dream!
Introducing the new Staff for the Desert Ridge Life Styles Magazine. These two lucky students were chosen out of the whole class to be apart of the Desert Ridge magazine. Zoe Pepin is the photo journalist and Matt is the designer and they are both thrilled to be apart of Desert Ridge.
My name is Zoe Pepin and this is my first year at Explorer.
I am 13 years old and I’m in 7th grade. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball and taking pictures. I am really excited to be working for the Desert Ridge Magazine and hope
that you enjoy.
My name is Matthew Faust. I am 14 years old and I’m an 8th grader at Explorer Middle School. The things I like to do in my free time are play basketball, ride my bike and play video games. I will be a part of the Desert Ridge Magazine this year.The way I mostly design stuff is with 3D modeling. I am the designer for the Desert Ridge magazine.
