Bonita Vista High’s (BVH) Associated Student Body (ASB) arranges many activities throughout each school year. ASB is comprised of not only the elected officers for the school year but also students in specific commissions like art, technology and finance. One of those commissioners is junior Amari Adrianzen, the only Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) commissioner in ASB for the school year 2019-2020. 

“[I joined ASB] because I wanted to be a part of the school. I just wanted to be a leader,” Adrianzen said. “[I signed up to become VAPA commissioner] because I have a lot of dance experience and I didn’t think that anyone would apply for it, so I applied.”

As the VAPA commissioner, Adrianzen is in charge of helping coordinate the Homecoming halftime show and organizing all the performances for assemblies or any school-related activities.

BVH’s Assistant Principal (AP) of Student Activities Christopher Alvarez reaffirmed Adrianzen’s comment on how fewer students applied to become VAPA commissioners this year. Moreover, this only motivated Adrianzen to do her best in being ASB’s only VAPA commissioner. 

“Not a lot of people tried out for VAPA this year and Amari stood out over the other candidates that did apply and so we felt she deserved it solo,” Alvarez said. “She has done a lot, like organizing performances and choreographing [dances for] whatever events we needed. She’s very dedicated and passionate about her job.” 

According to Adrianzen, working by oneself is tough and challenging. However, regardless of the downsides of working by oneself in the VAPA commission, Adrianzen explains how she is able to overcome these challenges with dedication and the drive to get things done. 

“[Working by myself is] stressful, it’s hard because I don’t have anyone to work with or collaborate with. I’m in charge of everything and sometimes I don’t know what to do. [Nonetheless,] I push through it and I do get things done when I put my mind to it, so that’s what’s important,” Adrianzen said. 

As the only VAPA commissioner, Adrianzen feels she has accomplished a lot. According to Alvarez, the most notable achievement she has fulfilled would be the Homecoming halftime show last September. 

“I would say the biggest thing [she has achieved] would be the Homecoming halftime show and [the] behind the scenes of organizing everything [from performances to] all the entertainment,” Alvarez said. 

BVH Dance Coordinator Christine Timmons often works with Adrianzen because both are affiliated with choreographing dances for school functions. As the only Dance Coordinator at BVH, Timmons describes how she understands what it’s like to work by oneself. 

“Amari is a pretty hard worker. I think people don’t realize how much planning is involved in doing the Homecoming [halftime dance] and so it was really overwhelming because it was just her. I know from being the only dance teacher it’s hard to bounce ideas around, get feedback or reflect on things if you’re the only person involved in that, so sometimes you have to go to outside sources to get that collaboration,” Timmons said. 

Despite being the only VAPA commissioner and working by oneself, Adrianzen aims to overcome any obstacles she may face and attempts to set a good example for her given role.

“I think Amari has done a really great job considering that she’s been by herself. I actually just really enjoy watching her grow and learn as a leader,” Timmons said. “I definitely think she exemplifies what an ASB leader should be and that she will kind of take control of that situation and make things happen.”