Valentine's Day Fun At Hope University

Joanna making Valentine's.

Oscar looks happy about the goodies in his bag.

Melanie stirs the white chocolate for the strawberries.

Yummy Valentine's Day treats. 

Lori and Brian enjoy the day.

Miguel plays a Valentine's Day themed Bean Bag Toss game as Richard looks on.

Pei Lin is thinking about all of the Valentine's she will get.

Joe enjoys singing Karaoke. 

On the 14th of February we had a party to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Students made Valentine's to give to their friends, filled up bags with Valentine's Day loot, played games, sang Karoke and had a DJ with a dance.   Here are a few of the students highlights.  
"I liked the dancing."  Pei Lin Stotler
"My favorite part was listening to the music."  Margaret Kelley
"I had fun passing out my Valentines to all of my friends." Rene Smith
"Singing Karaoke was my favorite part of the day." Carol Wallen
"I liked doing the Bean Bag Toss." Jennifer Doyle

A wonderful day was had by all. 

Hope U Spirit Week!

Tom V. in his tropical shirt was a great DJ.

Rene S. shows off her island flair.

Gary A. is ready to play some smooth tropical rhythms.

Ben S. looks like he is ready for a day at the beach. 

Conga Line!

Cathy A. is a perfect tourist. 

Darren P. shows us a smile in front of a beachy backdrop. 

The week of August 20th we had Spirit Week here at Hope.  On Monday we had Red, White and Blue Day, everyone wore something that was red, white and blue, we had several  Angel's Baseball outfits!  On Tuesday it was Baby Picture Day, where everyone brought in a baby photo and we tried to guess who was who.  On Wednesday we had a Lu-Wow, complete with a DJ and hula dancers (several students learned a hula and performed for everyone).  On Thursday it was Staff Talent Show day.  There were opera singers, flutists, pianists, comedy performances and guitar playing.  Finally Friday 'topped it off' with Crazy Hat Day, with lots and lots of Crazy Hats! Summer may be on it's way out but the heat is still on here in Anaheim,  California so we may just need to plan few 'Popsicle Parties'. 

International Music Enrichment

The big, long, loud horn.

Instrument demonstration.

The performer asks for audience participation.

Chris is enjoying the show.

The audience looks on.

 A very engaging performance holds the students attention.

A large array of instruments peaks interest.

On occasion we are able to have guest artists come to Hope U and perform for us.  Hope U is home to many talented adults with developmental disabilities, a number of which have exceptional musical aptitude.  Having guest artists exposes the clients to new and interesting instruments, different cultures and how they create music as well as different musical styles that they can integrate into their musical repertoire. In May we were fortunate enough to have the group 'Aconcagua', music of the Andes.  They brought many interesting and unique instruments to show and play for us.  They had drums, pan pipes, flutes, horns and even a small guitar-like instrument made from an armadillo shell!  The student were taken by the diverse sounds created by the traditional instruments as well as the artists ability to play them.  Here is what some students had to say about the performance by 'Aconcagua':
"I really like the way they sang"  Michelle E.
"I liked the big flute"  Cindy Hein.
"My favorite part was the big, long, loud horns!"  Jason Rosales.
"I thought the pan flute was awesome."  Mikki Davis.
"I liked the drums."  Ben Simendinger.
"The flutes were my favorite part."  Lori Slikker.

Hope U Has A Lu-Wow!

Musical instructors Steve and Rene lead the students in an island drum circle.

Students making tropical fruit kabobs.

Students performed the 'Little Grass Shack' hula dance.

Tanette getting ready to throw in the ring toss game.

Alexis and other students dance to fun island inspired tunes.

The summer heat made us all think of going on a Hawaiian vacation, so we had one here!  There were tropical fruit kabobs, hula lessons, an island ring toss game, an native drum circle, a hula dance performance  and a DJ dance party! Fun was has by all!  Aloha!

"My favorite part of the day was the dance in the afternoon."
Kim Mumper

"My favorite part of the party was making the tropical fruit kabobs."
Lori Slikker

"I liked helping to cut up the strawberries and pineapple with my friends."
Tanette Tuttle

Museum Outing Goes Kinetic

Cathy at the Calder exhibit.

Alexis adding to the yarn sculpture.

The craft area at O.C. Museum of Art.

Yarn sculpture, in progress.

Several students enjoying the Calder inspired crafts.

Getting read for lunch on the patio.

The Hope University students loaded onto a bus for a quick jaunt down to the Orange County Museum of Art where there is currently an exhibit of Alexander Calder's work.  Alexander Calder was a kinetic artist, he loved to make sculptures that moved.  The bus moved the students to the museum where they were moved by his amazing work.  Alexander Calder often used red, white, blue, green and yellow when creating his sculptures.  He also made many mobiles that balance unbelievably.  The museum had an interactive section where the students were able to create art themselves.  They cut folded paper into shapes and added to an already in progress yarn sculpture.  So many of Hope University's students are actively involved in creating artwork daily so this field trip was an amazing inspiration. 
Here are a few inspiring moments:
"I liked the sculpture of the face, with all of the pieces hanging."
Ana Pinedeo
"I liked the sculpture of trees and flowers in a garden. I liked the exhibit so much I would like to go back again."
Margaret Kelley
"I liked making the craft, cutting and drawing at the table."
Jennifer Doyle

Friends of the Fair Day at the Orange County Fair!

Ben, Rene and Joanna 'clowning around'.

April on the Swing ride.

April, Joanna and Margaret waiting in line for a ride.

Bradley looking so happy to go into the fairgrounds.

April riding a big pink bird.

Sharon and Darren getting ready to look at the horses in the barn.

Carol, Michelle, Karen and Mignon having fun at the O.C. Fair.

On July 20th many of the Hope University students attended the Orange County Fair at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa California.  Each year the O.C. Fair provides a day, called 'Friends of the Fair' Day where persons with disabilities get in free.  We are so grateful to the O. C. Fair for providing this service for us all.  The theme of the Fair this year was 'Let's Eat!' celebrating all of the wonderful Fair foods we love.  The students and staff rode in a chartered bus to and from the Fair.  Some of the things we saw were, rides, horses, sunflowers, vendors selling all sorts of things and food, lots of food!
Everyone had a lot of fun and can hardly wait to go back again next year.  Thank you Orange County Fair for having 'Friends of the Fair' Day.

Orange County Fair Field Trip

Every year the Orange County California Fair has a special day for some very special people, called 'Friends of the Fair' Day. The Hope University students left in a bus on Wednesday, July 21st for a day of Fair fun, food and friends. They went on rides, like the big Ferris Wheel and were able to see many sights. The livestock area was a favorite, with cows, pigs and chickens, also the farm area where they have many different kinds of fruits and vegetables growing year round on the Fairgrounds. Students were also able to do some shopping and as always, lunch down food alley was an adventure. The Hi-Hopes, Hope University's musical performing group played on the big stage to the delight of many.
Firstly we have April Renick enjoying the attentions of a fun time clown while waiting in line at the gate.
Next is Gary Ahearn, one of the talented Hi-Hopes members smiling at the keyboard.
You see the entire Hi-Hopes band performing on the big stage at the Fair. From left to right: Tom Veltman, Richard Groves, Gary Ahearn, Howard Miller, Paul Kuehn, Cathy Acton, Mikki Davis and Lori Reyes.

Very Special Arts Festival Westfield Main Place, Santa Ana, CA

Westfield Main Place, Santa Ana California hosted the annual Very Special Arts Festival for artists with disabilities. The Hope University Choir sang and the Chiming group chimed at the performance event. Her we have a flamingo block print done by Hope U student Lori Slikker. She drew the image and carved 3 different linoleum blocks to create this amazing image. Next is Dena Schott (Cerebral Palsy) shown beaming next to her water color and ink painting titled 'Dream'. This was the first year that the written word was included in the show. Here we have a very proud Chih Tseng standing next to his poem, 'At Henry's', a haircut experience.

Very Special Arts Showcases Hope U Student Art

In April we were proud to participate in the Very Special Arts Festival in Orange County California at the Westfield Main Place. Hope University Students performed for the crowd along with many other talented persons with disabilities. Several of our students' art work was chosen for the traveling show as well as one piece was used and the artist honored with a tee-shirt design for the Very Special Arts! Tanette, we are so proud of you and your wonderful 'puppy' block print.
Then in May the students were able to take a field trip to the mall to view the art on display. We also had a wonderful day window shopping and enjoying a special lunch in the food court.
Here we have Richard Groves smiling next to his art, a photo of the Hope University art display, Mikki and Howard enjoying the mall and Tom Veltman smiling after a fun lunch.