44 MAY 2018 By Elaina Verhoff Hundreds of music lovers recently gathered for a spring music festival featuring live performances on a stage under the stars, food trucks and a vendor fair. Sounds like something you’d find at a popular Valley concert venue. But in this case, the setting was the grassy basin and eucalyptus trees of Veritas Preparatory Academy. The 2018 Veritas Music Festival, held on Saturday, March 24, was the second annual event of its kind, and came together thanks to the dedication of a small group of parent volunteers, and the talent of the students, parents, and teachers who performed. The organizing team included Veritas parents Kim Seeley, Katherine and Mark Reckling, Andrew Ellison, Joey Spadafore and Peter Cosovich. The festival was emceed by seniors Raleigh Grove and Trey Godzich and the lineup included: • Classic American music from Dusty Tuffet • Traditional Irish music by Stilicho • Groovy tunes by Sugahbeat • The Nash Legacy Ensemble featuring sophomore Joaquin Rosales • Rock and blues by Memphis Conventiculum • Rawleigh Grove • Apollo Bravos, featuring 2017 VPA alumn Cole Kinerk • Slightly Salted, comprised of sophomores Colin Graeff, Nate Tathum, Jude Slovik, and Damien Reeder • Random Ideas, comprised of eighth graders Sophia Will, Kate Seeley and Isabella Robinson • Solo by Sofia Valencia “It taught Isabella so much in terms of time management,” said Krista Robinson, mother of eighth grade keyboardist Isabella. “How to squeeze in band practice and rehearsals to an already full schedule of school, sports, piano lessons, and volunteering.” On the evening of the concert, Krista says it was clear all the hard work paid off, when Random Ideas took the stage and her daughter was cheered on by her friends and classmates who sat up front, singing along to the performance. Seeley says this year’s event has grown from the inaugural event, with more than 450 in attendance, compared to 300 last year. A new addition to this year’s festival was the student vendor fair. Ten student vendors participated in the entrepreneurial fair, selling goods such as dog toys, candy, arts and crafts, shoelaces and jewelry. The junior class made more than $600 selling baked goods and water, with funds going toward their senior trip next year. It wouldn’t be a concert without a t-shirt, and this year’s concert shirts featured an event logo designed by Veritas senior Regina Rodriguez, who won a contest to design the logo. Rodriguez’ art was also featured on festival marketing materials and the stage background. Seeley says they’re already thinking about next year’s music festival. “We had very positive feedback,” she said. “The addition of student vendors really added to the experience and helped get more kids and families involved.” A video montage of the 2018 Veritas Music Festival can be viewed at bit.ly/2Ke5tj5. All-student Veritas Music Fest is a big hit PHOTOS BY GREAT HEARTS ACADEMIES Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          Like us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •    •    •         www.ingleside.com BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM KATIE CHILES, DVM • KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM • TALI TONCRAY, DVM ASK US ABOUT OUR CHIROPRACTIC AND ACUPUNCTURE MODALITIES! HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 Grooming OPEN Tues - Sat